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Modeling and Experimental Investigation of the Anode Inlet Relative Humidity Effect on a PEM Fuel Cell

Author

Listed:
  • Lu Zhang

    (School of Mechanical-Electronic and Vehicle Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Yongfeng Liu

    (School of Mechanical-Electronic and Vehicle Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China
    State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Guijun Bi

    (Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), 73 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637662, Singapore)

  • Xintong Liu

    (School of Mechanical-Electronic and Vehicle Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Long Wang

    (School of Mechanical-Electronic and Vehicle Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Yuan Wan

    (School of Mechanical-Electronic and Vehicle Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Hua Sun

    (School of Humanities, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China)

Abstract

External humidification has been used as a flexible water management strategy for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). To study the anode inlet relative humidity (ARH) effect on the performance of PEMFC, the anode inlet water content (AIWC) model is established, including condensation rates and water activity. A comparable analysis between the AIWC model, Fluent model and experiment is conducted at 60 °C operating temperature, four different anode relative humidities (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), and 100% cathode relative humidity (CRH). The species distributions of water content and hydrogen concentration are presented and analyzed. The results show the relative error of the voltage results derived from the AIWC model has been reduced by 3.2% (the original is 4.6% in the Fluent model) especially at 240 mA·cm −2 for 50% ARH. An increase in hydrogen humidity can improve the PEMFC output at low ARH (25% and 50%). Meanwhile, at high ARH (100%), the excess water produced does not play a positive role. At 50% ARH, the water content and hydrogen distribution are more uniform all over the anode channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Zhang & Yongfeng Liu & Guijun Bi & Xintong Liu & Long Wang & Yuan Wan & Hua Sun, 2022. "Modeling and Experimental Investigation of the Anode Inlet Relative Humidity Effect on a PEM Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:13:p:4532-:d:844193
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    References listed on IDEAS

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