Increasing Efficiency by Integrating Thermolectric Materials into Fuel Cell

Öz

PEM (Polymer Membrane Fuel Cell) is a technology that emits electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen gases. The material is also capable of generating electricity due to the temperature difference applied to both surfaces. In this study, it is aimed to establish a mechanism to evaluate the waste heat produced by the fuel cell by using peltier. The fuel cell is designed to facilitate heat transfer to the Thermoelectric Coolant. One side of the Thermoelectric Coolant was mounted on the heat exit surface of the fuel cell and a fan was used to remove heat from the other surface. As a result of the experiments, it was seen that the most efficient working range of PEM fuel cell was limited to 70-80^oC, thus the surface temperature difference required for the efficient operation of the peltier was not fully formed. However, it has been determined that the energy obtained from the PEM fuel cell can be increased by 10% in these conditions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Thermoelectric Coolant
• Fuel Cell
• Cooling Fan
• Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
• Peltier

Increasing Efficiency by Integrating Thermolectric Materials into Fuel Cell

Abstract

PEM (Polymer Membrane Fuel Cell) is a technology that emits electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen gases. The material is also capable of generating electricity due to the temperature difference applied to both surfaces. In this study, it is aimed to establish a mechanism to evaluate the waste heat produced by the fuel cell by using peltier. The fuel cell is designed to facilitate heat transfer to the Thermoelectric Coolant. One side of the Thermoelectric Coolant was mounted on the heat exit surface of the fuel cell and a fan was used to remove heat from the other surface. As a result of the experiments, it was seen that the most efficient working range of PEM fuel cell was limited to 70-80oC, thus the surface temperature difference required for the efficient operation of the peltier was not fully formed. However, it has been determined that the energy obtained from the PEM fuel cell can be increased by 10% in these conditions. 

Keywords

• Thermoelectric Coolant
• Fuel Cell
• Cooling Fan
• Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
• Peltier

Kaynakça

1. [1] Enerji Raporu, (2015). Elektrik Mühendisleri Odası. İzmir, Turkey.
2. [2] İçingür, Y. ve Kireç, L., (2011). Bir Polimer Elektrolit Membran Yakıt Pilinde Kullanılmak Üzere Gaz Akış Plakaları Tasarımı ve Denenmesi, Politeknik Dergisi, Ankara, Turkey.
3. [3] Fidan, U., (2000). Mikro Denetleyici Kontrollü Taşınabilir Termoelektrik Tıp Kiti Cihazı Tasarımı ve Uygulanması. Ankara: Gazi Üni. Fen Bil. Enst. Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Turkey.
4. [4] Richard, J., (1997). Buistand Paul G. Lau, Calculation of Thermo Electric Power Generation Performance Using Finite Element Analysis, Proceedings of The Xvi International Conference On Thermoelectrics, August 26-29, Dresden, Germany.
5. [5] Yıldırım Y., (2011). Yakıt Pilleri Ders Notları, Zonguldak, Turkey.
6. [6] Yılmaz, A., Ünvar, S., Şevik, S., and Demir, M., (2017). Usability in Vehicles of PEM Fuel Cells, 8th International Advanced Technologies Symposium (IATS’17), Elazığ, Turkey.
7. [7] Sammes, N., (2005). Fuel Cell Technology–Reaching Towards Commercialization, British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data, Uk.