Spatially resolved oxygen reaction, water, and temperature distribution: Experimental results as a function of flow field and implications for polymer electrolyte fuel cell operation

Author(s):Show less -

Lopes, Thiago ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Beruski, Otavio ^{[4, 1]} ; Manthanwar, Amit M. ^{[5, 6]} ; Korkischko, Ivan ^{[1, 3]} ; Pugliesi, Reynaldo ^[1] ; Stanojev, Marco Antonio ^[1] ; Garcia Andrade, Marcos Leandro ^[1] ; Pistikopoulos, Efstratios N. ^{[5, 6]} ; Perez, Joelma ^[4] ; Fonseca, Fabio Coral ^[1] ; Meneghini, Julio Romano ^[3] ; Kucernak, Anthony R. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] IPEN CNEN SP, Nucl & Energy Res Inst, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Imperial Coll London, Dept Chem, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ - England

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Res Ctr Gas Innovat, Escola Politecn, Ave Prof Mello Moraes 2231, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[5] Imperial Coll London, Dept Chem Engn, London SW7 2AZ - England

^[6] Texas A&M Energy Inst, College Stn, TX - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: APPLIED ENERGY; v. 252, OCT 15 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In situ and ex situ spatially-resolved techniques are employed to investigate reactant distribution and its impacts in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Temperature distribution data provides further evidence for secondary flows inferred from reactant imaging data, highlighting the contribution of convection in heat as well as reactant distribution. Water build-up from neutron tomography is linked to component degradation, matching the pattern seen in the reactant distribution and thus suggesting that high, non-uniform local current densities shape degradation patterns in fuel cells. The correlations shown between different techniques confirm the use of the versatile reactant imaging technique, which is used to compare commonly used flow field designs. Among serpentine-type designs, the single serpentine is superior in both equivalent current density and reactant distribution, showing large contributions from convective flow. On the other hand, the interdigitated design is shown to produce larger equivalent current densities, while showing a somewhat poorer reactant distribution. Considering the correlations drawn between the techniques, this suggests that the interdigitated design compromises durability in favour of power output. The results highlight how established techniques provide a robust background for the use of a new and flexible imaging technique toward designing advanced flow fields for practical fuel cell applications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/12397-0 - Flow field optimization of fuel cells by using numerical methods
• Grantee: Ivan Korkischko
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/11316-9 - Modeling and simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell
• Grantee: Otávio Beruski
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/09087-4 - Studies on the use of bioethanol in proton exchange membrane and solid oxide fuel cells
• Grantee: Marcelo Linardi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/11937-4 - A sustainable path to methane conversion by advanced electrochemical technologies
• Grantee: Fabio Coral Fonseca
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/22130-6 - Electrocatalysis beyond platinum: development of sustainable electrocatalysts
• Grantee: Thiago Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/15304-6 - Electrocatalysis beyond platinum: development of sustainable electrocatalysts
• Grantee: Thiago Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers