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The potential of using nanofluids in PEM fuel cell cooling systems: A review

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  • Islam, M.R.
  • Shabani, B.
  • Rosengarten, G.
  • Andrews, J.

Abstract

This paper explores the potential and challenges of using nanofluids in cooling systems for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) in automotive applications. PEMFCs have clearly emerged as a promising alternative to existing conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs) in vehicles, mainly due to their relatively high electrical energy conversion efficiency (around 55% based on the high heating value of hydrogen), and zero emissions in operation. Despite their relatively low heat generation and low operating temperature (~65°C), PEMFCs require a relatively large radiator in their cooling systems, which is unfavourable in automotive applications. Nanofluids have attracted great interest as coolants due to their superior heat transfer properties. This paper thus reviews the using of nanoparticles with a suitable base fluid as a coolant in PEMFCs. It is found that a nanofluid coolant in a PEMFC can reduce the size of the radiator needed to dissipate its thermal load (by up to 10% relative to standard heat transfer fluids), eliminate the need for a deionizing filter, and lower the freezing point of the base fluid.

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  • Islam, M.R. & Shabani, B. & Rosengarten, G. & Andrews, J., 2015. "The potential of using nanofluids in PEM fuel cell cooling systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 523-539.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:48:y:2015:i:c:p:523-539
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.018
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    Cited by:

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    5. Lin, Chen & Yan, Xiaohui & Wei, Guanghua & Ke, Changchun & Shen, Shuiyun & Zhang, Junliang, 2019. "Optimization of configurations and cathode operating parameters on liquid-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks by orthogonal method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
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    7. Wilberforce, Tabbi & Ijaodola, O. & Ogungbemi, Emmanuel & Khatib, F.N. & Leslie, T. & El-Hassan, Zaki & Thomposon, J. & Olabi, A.G., 2019. "Technical evaluation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance – A review of the effects of bipolar plates coating," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Ho-Seong Lee & Choong-Won Cho & Jae-Hyeong Seo & Moo-Yeon Lee, 2016. "Cooling Performance Characteristics of the Stack Thermal Management System for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles under Actual Driving Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-14, April.
    9. Zhang, Long & Chen, Leilei & Liu, Jian & Fang, Xiaoming & Zhang, Zhengguo, 2016. "Effect of morphology of carbon nanomaterials on thermo-physical characteristics, optical properties and photo-thermal conversion performance of nanofluids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 888-897.
    10. Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Wu, Xiaofeng & Yao, Qinghe, 2018. "Multi-objective genetic optimization of the thermoelectric system for thermal management of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 314-327.
    11. Xu, Jiamin & Zhang, Caizhi & Wan, Zhongmin & Chen, Xi & Chan, Siew Hwa & Tu, Zhengkai, 2022. "Progress and perspectives of integrated thermal management systems in PEM fuel cell vehicles: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    12. A.G. Olabi & Tabbi Wilberforce & Enas Taha Sayed & Khaled Elsaid & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, 2020. "Prospects of Fuel Cell Combined Heat and Power Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    13. Guo, Xinru & Zhang, Houcheng, 2020. "Performance analyses of a combined system consisting of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    14. Chen, Qin & Zhang, Guobin & Zhang, Xuzhong & Sun, Cheng & Jiao, Kui & Wang, Yun, 2021. "Thermal management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: A review of cooling methods, material properties, and durability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    15. Asma Mohamad Aris & Bahman Shabani, 2015. "Sustainable Power Supply Solutions for Off-Grid Base Stations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-38, September.
    16. Yang, Zirong & Du, Qing & Jia, Zhiwei & Yang, Chunguang & Xuan, Jin & Jiao, Kui, 2019. "A comprehensive proton exchange membrane fuel cell system model integrating various auxiliary subsystems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    17. Islam, Mohammad Rafiqul & Shabani, Bahman & Rosengarten, Gary, 2016. "Nanofluids to improve the performance of PEM fuel cell cooling systems: A theoretical approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 660-671.
    18. Yang, Zirong & Du, Qing & Jia, Zhiwei & Yang, Chunguang & Jiao, Kui, 2019. "Effects of operating conditions on water and heat management by a transient multi-dimensional PEMFC system model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 462-476.

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