Effect of Humidification of Gases on First Home Constructed PEM Fuel Cell Stack Potential

Year 2010, Volume: 23 Issue: 1, 61 - 70, 08.03.2010

Kemal Ersan , İrfan Ar Sami Tukek

Abstract

In this study, experimental results of the PEM fuel cell stack, whose design and construction were belongs to us and uses hydrogen and dry air as fuel and oxidant, under humidification process are given. To measure the effects of operating variables, on the performance of a fuel cell, a fuel cell testing system which contains control and measurement systems in it, was built. It was also investigated the effect of humidification of anode and  cathode in fuel cell package, on stack performance. As a result, it was determined that, the potential obtained from fuel cell,  depends on the humidification process in great extent. The maximum potential was obtained by humidifying both anode and cathode (i.e. humidified hydrogen & dry air stream conditions). Moreover, effects of gas flow rate, air/fuel ratio and package temperature on performance were researched. It was found that the optimum air/fuel ratio is 20 at is 57^oC.

Key Words: PEM Fuel cell, Stack performance, Membrane electrode assembly.

 

Keywords

PEM Fuel cell, Stack performance, Membrane electrode assembly

References

• Smitha, B., Sridhar, S., Khan A.A., “Solid polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications -a review”, Journal of Membrane Science, 259(1-2):10-26(2005). [2] Hamrock, S.J., Yandrasits, exchange membranes for fuel cell applications”, Polymer Rev., 46(3):219-44(2006) “Proton
• Radev, I., Georgiev, G., Sinigersky, V., Slavche, E., “Proton conductivity measurements of PEM 68
• G.U. J. Sci.,23(1):61-69 (2010)/ Kemal ERSAN1♠, Irfan AR2, Sami TUKEK
• performed in EasyTest Cell”, International
• Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 33(18):4849- 4855(2008).
• Sen, U., Çelik, S.Ü., Ata, A., Bozkurt, A., “Anhydrous proton conducting membranes for PEM composites”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 33(11): 2808-2815(2008). Nafion/Azole
• Şahin, A., Ar, İ., Erşan, K., Balbaşı, M., “Synthesis and characterization of composite membranes in Fuel Symposium and Exhibition, İzmir, Turkey, 17-19 November 443-451(2006). Composites
• Balbaşı, M., Şahin, A., Erşan, K., Ar, İ., “PVA Based Composite Membrane Synthesis for PEM Fuel Cells”, Second International Hydrogen Energy Congress and Exhibition, İstanbul, Turkey, PP-IHEC07-925(2007).
• Şahin, A., Ar, İ., Erşan, K., Balbaşı, M., “Syntesis and Characterization of Sulfonated Polystyrene composite membranes support with Amberlyst”, First Polymeric Composites Symposium and Exhibition, İzmir, Turkey, 621-630(2006).
• Pei, H., Hong, L., Lee, J.Y., “Effects of polyaniline chain structures on proton conduction in a PEM host matrix”, Journal of Membrane Science, 307(1): 126-135(2008).
• Antolini, E., Salgado, J.R.C., Gonzalez, E.R., “The stability of Pt-M (First row transition metal) alloy catalysts and its effect on the activity in low temperature fuel cells. A literature review and tests on a Pt-Co catalyst”, J Power Sources, 160(2):957-68(2006).
• Sethuraman V.A., Weidner J.W., Haug A.T., “Protsailo LV. Durability of Perfluorosulfonic acid and hydrocarbon membranes effect of humidity and 155(2):119-24(2008). Electrochem Soc.,
• Zhang, S., Yuan, X., Wang, H., Mérida, W., Zhu, H., Shen, J., Wu, S., Zhang, J., “A review of accelerated stress tests of MEA durability in PEM fuel cells”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy,34(1):388-404(2009).
• Yan, X.M., Mei, P., Mi, Y., Gao, L., Shaoxiong, “Proton exchange membrane with hydrophilic capillaries for elevated temperature PEM fuel cells” 11(1):71-74(2009). Communications,
• Guvelioglu, G.H., Stenger, H.G., “Flow rate and humidification effects on a PEM fuel cell performance and operation”, Journal of Power Sources, 163(2):882-891(2007).
• Jang, J.H., Chiu, H.C., Yan, W.M., Sun, W.L., “Effects performances of individual cell and stack of PEM fuel cell”, Journal of Power Sources, 180(1):476- 483(2008). conditions on the
• Mehta, V., Cooper J.S., “Review and analysis of PEM fuel cell design and manufacturing”, Journal of Power Sources, 114(1): 32-53(2003).
• Weng, F.B., Jou, B.S., Su, A., Chan, S.H., Chi, P.H., “Design, fabrication and performance analysis of a 200 W PEM fuel cell short stack”, Journal of Power Sources,171(1):179-185(2007).
• Park, J., Li, X., “Effect of flow and temperature distribution on the performance of a PEM fuel cell stack”, Journal of Power Sources, 162(1):444- 459(2006).
• Ar, İ., Erşan, K., Tükek, S., “Investigation of Efficiency of PEMFC Stack with Wire Gride MEA , Fuel Cells Science and Technology-Scientific Advances in Fuel Cell Systems”, Eighth Grove Fuel Cell Symposium , Munich, Germany, PP2.86(2004)
• Tükek, S., “Stacking and testing of PEM fuel cells which are thought to be used widely in vehicles in the future”, M.Sc Thesis, Gazi University, Ankara (2004).
• Mikkola, M., “Modifications to a PEM Fuel Cell Stack”, Helsinki University of Technology, Department Mathematics, (Teknillinen Korkeakoulu Ydin-Ja Energiateknikka), 56(198):3-17(2000). and
• Minh, N.Q., “High temperature fuel cells: part II the solid oxide cell”, Allied-Signal Aerospace Company, AiResearch Los Angeles Division, 109- 115(1987).
• Tori, C., Baleztena, M., Peralta, C., Calzada, R., Jorge, E., Barsellini, D., Garaventta, G., Visintin, A., Triaca, W.E., “Advances in the development of a hydrogen/oxygen PEM fuel cell stack”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 33(13):3588-3591(2008).
• Ar, İ., Erşan, K., Tükek, S., Sarıdemir, S., “Construction of Fuel Cell Stack by Using Electrolyte - Electrode Pair Developed and Tested in Laboratory and its Comparison with Internal Combustion Engine”, 3rd International Advanced Technologies Symposıum, Ankara-Turkey, 239- 251(2003).
• Gottesfield, S., Wilson, M.S., Zawodzinski, T., Lemons, R.A., “Core Technology R&D for PEM Fuel Cells”, Hydrogen Fuel for Surface Transportation, 141-145(1996).
• G.U. J. Sci., 23(1):61-69 (2010)/ Kemal ERSAN1♠, Irfan AR2, Sami TUKEK1 69
• Badrinarayanan, P., Ramaswamy, S., Eggert, A., Moore, R.M., “Fuel Cell Stack Water and Thermal Management: Impact of Variable System Power Operation”, PP 2001-01-0537 SAE Inc. (2001).
• Ceraolo, M., Miulli, C., Pozio, A., “Modelling static and dynamic behaviour of proton exchange membrane fuel cells on the basis of electro- chemical description”, Journal of Power Sources, 113(1):131-144(2003).
• Sone, Y., Ekdunge, P., Simonsson D., “Proton Conductivity of Nafion 117 as Measured by a Four-Electrode AC Impedance Method”, J. Electrochem. Soc., 143:1254 (1996).
• Shimpalee, S., “Three-Dimensional CFD Modeling of a Fuel Cell”, Ph D Thesis, University of South Carolina, (2001).
• Lee, W.K., Ho, C.H., Zee, J.W.V., Murthy, M., “The Effects of compression and gas diffusion layers on the performance of a PEM fuel cell”, Journal of Power Sources, 84(1):45-51(1999).
• Lee, W.K., “The effect of clamp torque, humidity, and CO poisoning on PEM Fuel Cell”, Ph. D. Thesis Chemical Eng. Depart., University of South Carolina, (2000).
• Anantaraman, A.V., Gardner, C.L., “Studies on ion-exchange membranes, Part 1 Effect of humidity on the conductivity of Nafion®”, J. Electro-analytical Chem., 414:115-120(1996).
• Delgado, A.G., “Effect of cathode saturation in polymer electrolyte fuel cell”, M.Sc. Thesis in Chem. Eng., Univ. Puerto Rico (2001).
• Park, G.G., Song, Y.J., Yang, T.H., Yoon, Y.G., Lee, W.Y., Kim, C.S., “Effect of PTFE contents in the gas diffusion media on the performance of PEMFC ”, J. Power Sources, 131:182-187(2004).
• Hakenjos, A., Muenter, H., Wittstadt, U., Hebling, C., “A PEM Fuel Cell For Combined Measurement Of Current And Temperature Distribution, and Flow Field Flooding”, J. Power Sources, 131:213- 216(2004).
• Şenol, İ.O., “Adaptation of dowex resin and h- zsm5 membrane fuel cell as electrolyte”, M.Sc Thesis, Gazi University, Ankara (2001). electrolyte
• Sarıdemir, S., “Membrane development and testing for PEM fuel cells which are thought to be used widely in vehicles in the future”, M.Sc Thesis, Gazi University, Ankara (2003).
• Ersan, K., Ar, I., Sarıdemir, S., “Effect of synthesis technique on dow resin membrane efficiency”, Fuel Cells Science
• Technology-Scientific
• Advances in Fuel Cell Systems. Eighth Grove
• Fuel Cell Symposium, Munich, Germany, PP2.89 (2004).