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Numerical Simulation on Effect of Separator Thickness on Coupling Phenomena in Single Cell of PEFC under Higher Temperature Operation Condition at 363 K and 373 K

Author

Listed:
  • Akira Nishimura

    (Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Daiki Mishima

    (Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Kyohei Toyoda

    (Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Syogo Ito

    (Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan)

  • Mohan Lal Kolhe

    (Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Agder, P.O. Box 422, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway)

Abstract

In hydrogen energy systems, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is an important component. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of separator thickness (s.t.) in PEFC on the distributions of mass such as H 2 , O 2 , H 2 O and current density when PEFC is operated at 363 K and 373 K. The relative humidity (RH) of supply gases also impacts the operation. The numerical simulation (using a 3D model) with COMSOL Multiphysics has been conducted to analyze the characteristics of PEFC. It has been observed that the molar concentration of H 2 using s.t. of 2.0 mm is smaller compared with the thinner s.t. cases at the initial operation temperature of a cell ( T ini ) = 363 K and 373 K. The molar concentration of O 2 using s.t. of 2.0 mm is smaller compared with the thinner s.t. cases at T ini = 373 K, as well as the case for the RH of supply gases at the anode of 40%RH and cathode of 40%RH (A40%RH/C40%RH) irrespective of T ini . Additionally, it has been clarified that the molar concentration of H 2 O maintains a low value along with the gas channel at T ini = 373 K using s.t. of 1.5 mm and 1.0 mm. Moreover, it has been clarified that the current density using s.t. of 2.0 mm is the highest among the different s.t. irrespective of T ini , which is the most remarkable in the case of A40%RH&C40%RH.

Suggested Citation

  • Akira Nishimura & Daiki Mishima & Kyohei Toyoda & Syogo Ito & Mohan Lal Kolhe, 2023. "Numerical Simulation on Effect of Separator Thickness on Coupling Phenomena in Single Cell of PEFC under Higher Temperature Operation Condition at 363 K and 373 K," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:2:p:606-:d:1024977
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Akira Nishimura & Kyohei Toyoda & Yuya Kojima & Syogo Ito & Eric Hu, 2021. "Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Jiao, Kui & Park, Jaewan & Li, Xianguo, 2010. "Experimental investigations on liquid water removal from the gas diffusion layer by reactant flow in a PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(9), pages 2770-2777, September.
    3. Akira Nishimura & Nozomu Kono & Kyohei Toyoda & Daiki Mishima & Mohan Lal Kolhe, 2022. "Impact of Separator Thickness on Temperature Distribution in Single Cell of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Operated at Higher Temperature of 90 °C and 100 °C," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-25, June.
    4. Nishimura, Akira & Shibuya, Kenichi & Morimoto, Atsushi & Tanaka, Shigeki & Hirota, Masafumi & Nakamura, Yoshihiro & Kojima, Masashi & Narita, Masahiko & Hu, Eric, 2012. "Dominant factor and mechanism of coupling phenomena in single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 73-79.
    5. Park, Jae Wan & Jiao, Kui & Li, Xianguo, 2010. "Numerical investigations on liquid water removal from the porous gas diffusion layer by reactant flow," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(7), pages 2180-2186, July.
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    7. Akira Nishimura & Kyohei Toyoda & Daiki Mishima & Syogo Ito & Eric Hu, 2022. "Numerical Analysis on Impact of Thickness of PEM and GDL with and without MPL on Coupling Phenomena in PEFC Operated at Higher Temperature Such as 363 K and 373 K," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-31, August.
    8. Rostami, Leila & Mohamad Gholy Nejad, Puriya & Vatani, Ali, 2016. "A numerical investigation of serpentine flow channel with different bend sizes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 400-410.
    9. Nishimura, Akira & Yamamoto, Kohei & Okado, Tatsuya & Kojima, Yuya & Hirota, Masafumi & Kolhe, Mohan Lal, 2020. "Impact analysis of MPL and PEM thickness on temperature distribution within PEFC operating at relatively higher temperature," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    10. Akira Nishimura & Tatsuya Okado & Yuya Kojima & Masafumi Hirota & Eric Hu, 2020. "Impact of MPL on Temperature Distribution in Single Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell with Various Thicknesses of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    11. Xia, Lingchao & Ni, Meng & He, Qijiao & Xu, Qidong & Cheng, Chun, 2021. "Optimization of gas diffusion layer in high temperature PEMFC with the focuses on thickness and porosity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
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