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Variation Characteristic Analysis of Water Content at the Flow Channel of Proton Exchange Membrane 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)

  • Pucheng Pei

    (State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • 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)

Abstract

The performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is directly affected by the nonlinear variations in water content. To study the variation in water content and its effect on PEMFC performance, the water condensation rate (WCR) model is established, which determines the proportional relationship between evaporation and condensation rates in terms of the switch function, and the two-phase flow evolution and pressure drop are considered as well. The WCR model is imported into Fluent software through a user-defined function for simulation, and the test system is established under different operating conditions. Then, the contours of H 2 O molar concentrations and polarization curves are analyzed and compared. The results show that the condensation rate value of the cathode channel is from 1.05 to 1.55 times higher than that of the anode channel. The WCR model can predict the variation in water content and improve the accuracy of the performance calculation by from 9% to 31%. The accuracy of the WCR model is especially improved, by 31%, at high current densities compared with the Fluent model when the inlet pressure is 30 kPa.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Zhang & Yongfeng Liu & Pucheng Pei & Xintong Liu & Long Wang & Yuan Wan, 2022. "Variation Characteristic Analysis of Water Content at the Flow Channel of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:3280-:d:806167
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.

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