Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (eBook)

Dr. Alhussein Albarbar is a Reader in Mechanical Engineering and researcher at School of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.Mr. Mohmad Alrweq is a PhD student at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Preface 5
Contents 7
Abbreviations 10
Greek Symbols 12
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background 13
1.1 Overview 13
1.2 Fuel Cells Technologies 14
1.2.1 Fuel Cell Types and Applications 15
1.2.1.1 Fuel Cell Types 15
1.2.1.2 Fuel Cell Applications 15
1.2.2 Full Cell Advantages 17
1.2.3 Full Cell Disadvantages 19
References 19
Chapter 2: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Review 21
2.1 Overview 21
2.2 Lifetime Tests for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 22
2.3 A Review of Performance Degradation and Common Failure Modes 23
2.3.1 Membrane Degradation 23
2.3.1.1 Membrane Degradation Mechanisms 23
2.3.1.2 Mitigation Techniques for Membrane Degradation 25
2.3.2 Degradation of Catalyst Layers and Electro-Catalysts 25
2.3.2.1 Mechanisms of Catalyst Layer Degradation 26
2.3.2.2 Catalyst Layer Degradation: Mitigation Techniques 27
2.3.3 Gas Diffusion Layers 29
2.3.3.1 Degradation Mechanism of Gas Diffusion Layers 29
2.3.3.2 Mitigation Techniques for Gas Diffusion Layer Degradation 30
2.3.4 Bipolar Plate 30
2.3.4.1 Degradation Mechanisms of Bipolar Plate 30
2.3.4.2 Mitigation Techniques for Bipolar Plate Degradation 31
2.4 Monitoring Techniques for PEM Fuel Cells 32
2.4.1 Polarisation Curve 33
2.4.2 Steady-State Testing 33
2.4.3 Duty Cycle Testing 33
2.4.4 Oxygen Testing 34
2.4.5 Voltage Decay 34
2.4.6 Alternating Current Impedance Testing 34
2.4.7 Cyclic Voltammetry Testing 35
2.4.8 Single Cell Versus Stack Testing 35
2.4.9 Accelerated Durability Testing 36
2.5 Summary 36
References 37
Chapter 3: Design and Fundamental Characteristics of PEM Fuel Cells 42
3.1 Overview 42
3.2 Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Working Principles 42
3.2.1 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 43
3.2.1.1 Thermodynamic Analysis 44
3.2.1.2 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell 44
3.3 Polarisation Phenomenon 47
3.3.1 Activation Polarisation 49
3.3.2 Ohmic Polarisation 54
3.3.3 Concentration Polarisation 59
3.3.4 Overall Voltage 62
3.3.5 Notes and Observations on Polarisation Curve 62
3.4 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency 63
3.4.1 Current Efficiency 63
3.4.2 Thermal Efficiency 63
3.4.3 Fuel Utilisation Efficiency 67
3.5 Summary 67
References 68
Chapter 4: Failure Modes and Mechanisms 70
4.1 Overview 70
4.2 Permanent Faults (Irreversible Faults) 70
4.2.1 Membrane Degradation 70
4.2.2 Absence of Catalyst 71
4.2.3 Carbon Monoxide Effects 71
4.3 Transient Faults (Reversible Faults) 72
4.3.1 Hydration and Dehydration 72
4.3.1.1 Fuel Cell Flooding 73
4.3.1.1.1 Cathode Flooding 73
4.3.1.1.2 Anode Flooding 74
4.3.1.1.3 Flow Channel Flooding 76
4.3.1.1.4 Membrane Dehydration and Flooding 76
4.4 Thermal Management and Its Impact on Performance 77
4.4.1 Effect of Sub-zero Temperatures on Performance and Efficiency 78
4.5 Starvation 79
4.5.1 Fuel Starvation 79
4.5.2 Air Starvation 79
4.5.3 Reactant Leakage 80
4.6 Ageing and Degradation 81
4.7 Summary 85
References 86
Chapter 5: Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation 88
5.1 Overview 88
5.2 Existing Modelling Techniques 90
5.2.1 Analytical Models 90
5.2.1.1 One-Dimensional Models 90
5.2.1.2 Two-Dimensional Models 91
5.2.1.3 Three-Dimensional Models 91
5.3 Semi-empirical Models 92
5.3.1 Dynamic Models 92
5.3.2 Two-Phase Models 93
5.4 Modelling Approach Proposed in This Book 94
5.4.1 Modelling Procedure 95
5.4.1.1 Assumptions 96
5.4.1.2 Mass Transfer 96
5.4.1.3 Charge Transfer 101
5.4.1.4 Heat Transfer 102
5.4.2 A Novel Semi-empirical Model 104
5.4.2.1 Modelling of Activation Polarization 104
5.4.2.2 Modelling of Ohmic Polarization 104
5.4.2.3 Modelling of Concentration Polarization 107
5.4.2.4 Modelling of Active Pressure 108
5.5 Summary 110
References 110
Chapter 6: Experimental Set-Up, Results and Data Analysis 112
6.1 Overview 112
6.2 Effect of Temperature and Pressure 112
6.2.1 Effect of Temperature 112
6.2.2 Effect of Pressure 114
6.2.3 Polarisation Curve and Power Density 114
6.3 Acoustic Emission Phenomena 115
6.3.1 Experimental Set-Up to Investigate the Impact of Load Variation on Acoustic Emission 117
6.3.2 AE Measurements and Data Analysis 118
6.3.3 Experimental Procedure of Water Flooding 119
6.4 Results and Discussion 120
6.4.1 Effects of Operating Conditions on the AE Signals 120
6.4.1.1 AE Signals Analysis Using Statistical Parameters 124
6.4.1.2 Root Mean Square Value and Variance as Fault Severity Indicators 125
6.4.2 Results and Comments for Water Flooding 125
References 134
Chapter 7: Guide to Modelling and Simulation 135
7.1 Selection of Model 135
7.2 Reactions and Flow in Porous Media 135
7.2.1 Reactions and Flow in Porous Media (Anode) 137
7.2.2 Reactions and Flow in Porous Media (Cathode) 137
7.3 Building the Geometry Structure of the Model 140
References 156
Appendix A: Parameters that Used to Model PEM Fuel Cells 157
Appendix B: Current Distribution and Water Concentration in GDL 159
Appendix C: Current Density in Membrane 164
Index 168