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A comprehensive investigation of anode operating characteristic and performance heterogeneity of commercial-size fuel cell stacks

Author

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  • Ma, Tiancai
  • Gu, Ziheng
  • Huang, Beiming
  • Yao, Naiyuan
  • Xu, Zishun
  • Du, Chang
  • Zhou, Julong
  • Lin, Weikang
  • Chen, Shijun
  • Shi, Lei

Abstract

This study investigated variations in hydrogen concentration, high-frequency impedance, stack voltage, and typical monolithic voltage under different operating conditions based on the ultrasonic online monitoring device. The effects of hydrogen concentration and inlet stoichiometric ratio on performance heterogeneity were quantitatively analyzed. Additionally, the stack performance under different anode circulation modes was examined. The results indicated that elevated temperature promoted membrane dehydration and shrinkage, reducing the water phase volume and narrowing the transport channels, leading to a decrease in nitrogen crossover. Under dry membrane conditions, the stack becomes more sensitive to hydrogen concentration fluctuations, resulting in reduced output voltage stability. The monolithic voltage was attenuated slowly when hydrogen concentration fell below 60 %, with a significant sawtooth-type decay when concentration dropped below 45 %. The lowest monolithic voltage consistently occurred in cells near the inlet, where higher gas flow rates resulted in less diffusion of hydrogen. In the current density range of 0.1–0.3 A cm−2, the ejector experienced secondary flow back, while optimal performance was achieved at 0.9 A cm−2, with circulation rate of 52.3 %. System efficiency in parallel mode consistently exceeded that of single blower mode, with a maximum efficiency improvement of 1.02 % at a current density of 1.4 A cm−2.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Tiancai & Gu, Ziheng & Huang, Beiming & Yao, Naiyuan & Xu, Zishun & Du, Chang & Zhou, Julong & Lin, Weikang & Chen, Shijun & Shi, Lei, 2026. "A comprehensive investigation of anode operating characteristic and performance heterogeneity of commercial-size fuel cell stacks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pd:s0960148125018944
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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