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Effects of operating conditions, various properties of the gas diffusion layer, and shape of endplate on the open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance

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  • Sim, Jaebong
  • Kang, Minsoo
  • Kim, Jiwoong
  • Min, Kyoungdoug

Abstract

Research on increasing the power density per unit volume by removing and miniaturizing the balance of plants to operate proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is essential. For drone applications, it is critical to reduce the weight of the PEMFC system. Therefore, the cathode compressor and humidifier are typically removed by directly using atmospheric air, and this operating method is called an open-cathode (OC). However, in the case of the OC-PEMFC, research has not been actively conducted compared to the PEMFC operating using the conventional method. In this study, the effects of various experimental variables on the OC-PEMFC performance are investigated. First, the effects of the flow rate of fans, whether the fan is used or not, operating temperature, humidification of hydrogen, and direction of the cathode opening area on the OC-PEMFC performance are systematically investigated. Second, the effects of substrate thickness of the gas diffusion layer, adding hydrophilic carbon black to the microporous layer, and perforations in the gas diffusion layer, one of the main components in the PEMFC, on the OC-PEMFC performance are identified. Finally, the shapes of endplates that prevent the accumulation of generated water in the cathode opening area are proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Sim, Jaebong & Kang, Minsoo & Kim, Jiwoong & Min, Kyoungdoug, 2022. "Effects of operating conditions, various properties of the gas diffusion layer, and shape of endplate on the open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 40-51.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:196:y:2022:i:c:p:40-51
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.06.132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhao, Chen & Xing, Shuang & Liu, Wei & Chen, Ming & Wang, Haijiang, 2021. "Performance and thermal optimization of different length-width ratio for air-cooled open-cathode fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 1250-1260.
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    5. Sim, Jaebong & Kang, Minsoo & Min, Kyoungdoug & Lee, Eunsook & Jyoung, Jy-Young, 2022. "Effects of carbon corrosion on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance using two durability evaluation methods," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 959-970.
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    1. Yu, Xianxian & Guan, Yin & Cai, Shanshan & Tu, Zhengkai & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2024. "An experimental study on the hydrogen utilization in air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with a novel anode outlet design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    2. Yu, Xianxian & Liu, Yang & Tu, Zhengkai & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2023. "Endplate effect in an open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack: Phenomenon and resolution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).

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