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Gas Diffusion Layers in Fuel Cells and Electrolysers: A Novel Semi-Empirical Model to Predict Electrical Conductivity of Sintered Metal Fibres

Author

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  • Reza Omrani

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora East Campus, Melbourne 3083, Australia)

  • Bahman Shabani

    (School of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora East Campus, Melbourne 3083, Australia)

Abstract

This paper introduces novel empirical as well as modified models to predict the electrical conductivity of sintered metal fibres and closed-cell foams. These models provide a significant improvement over the existing models and reduce the maximum relative error from as high as just over 30% down to about 10%. Also, it is shown that these models provide a noticeable improvement for closed-cell metal foams. However, the estimation of electrical conductivity of open-cell metal foams was improved marginally over previous models. Sintered porous metals are widely used in electrochemical devices such as water electrolysers, unitised regenerative fuel cells (URFCs) as gas diffusion layers (GDLs), and batteries. Having a more accurate prediction of electrical conductivity based on variation by porosity helps in better modelling of such devices and hence achieving improved designs. The models presented in this paper are fitted to the experimental results in order to highlight the difference between the conductivity of sintered metal fibres and metal foams. It is shown that the critical porosity (maximum achievable porosity) can play an important role in sintered metal fibres to predict the electrical conductivity whereas its effect is not significant in open-cell metal foams. Based on the models, the electrical conductivity reaches zero value at 95% porosity rather than 100% for sintered metal fibres.

Suggested Citation

  • Reza Omrani & Bahman Shabani, 2019. "Gas Diffusion Layers in Fuel Cells and Electrolysers: A Novel Semi-Empirical Model to Predict Electrical Conductivity of Sintered Metal Fibres," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:855-:d:211017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuan, Wei & Tang, Yong & Yang, Xiaojun & Wan, Zhenping, 2012. "Porous metal materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 309-329.
    2. Inamuddin, & Cheema, Taqi Ahmad & Zaidi, S.M.J. & Rahman, S.U., 2011. "Three dimensional numerical investigations for the effects of gas diffusion layer on PEM fuel cell performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 529-535.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yanqin Chen & Chao Jiang & Chongdu Cho, 2019. "Characterization of Effective In-Plane Electrical Resistivity of a Gas Diffusion Layer in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells through Freeze–Thaw Thermal Cycles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yanqin Chen & Yuchao Ke & Yingsong Xia & Chongdu Cho, 2021. "Investigation on Mechanical Properties of a Carbon Paper Gas Diffusion Layer through a 3-D Nonlinear and Orthotropic Constitutive Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Jin-Soo Park, 2021. "Hydrogen-Based Energy Conversion: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells and Electrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-2, August.

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