Simulation and optimization for the PEMFC based on single-cell stack structure

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2022.08.010

Abstract

Abstract:

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells（PEMFCs） attract extensive attention due to their high power-generation efficiency and working stability at normal temperatures. Traditional PEMFCs are vulnerable to flooding because of the uneven power generation loads among stacks. Most researches on PEMFC optimization are made by improving the flow field of a single cell, but PEMFCs are usually assembled in the form of stacks. Thus, a single-cell stack structure with a vertical channel as the inlet and outlet of reactants is designed, and a new series compensation flow field is proposed which has three air inlets and three flow channels connected in series. Reactants can compensate each other in the flow channel. A simulation study is conducted on the singe-layer PEMFC stack by ANSYS. On the premises that the anode adopts the same serpentine flow field and the cathode adopts the traditional single-channel serpentine flow field or the new series compensation flow field, the distributions of current density, oxygen mass fraction, liquid water saturation, velocity vector and flow channel pressure in the porous medium layers（GDL and CL） of the singe-layer PEMFC stack are analyzed. The simulation results show that the single-layer PEMFC stack in traditional single-channel serpentine flow field is of a higher overall channel pressure, and the closer it is to the inlet, the higher the current density and oxygen mass fraction are, and vice versa. The liquid water saturation around the outlet is relatively high and the velocity vector shows no significant increase as liquid water tends to hoard around the outlet. However, the current density distribution in the new series compensation flow field is relatively even, and there are multiple and extensive-distributed areas with high oxygen mass fractions. The electrochemical reaction is more sufficient and the overall pressure drop is lower. The velocity vector is significantly higher in the areas with higher oxygen mass fraction, which promotes the rapid compensation and diffusion of oxygen between flow channels. The overall liquid water saturation is relatively low. The high velocity vector around the outlet facilitates the drainage effect.

Key words: proton exchange membrane fuel cell, flow field, stack, structure, simulation, hydrogen energy

CLC Number:

TK01

HU Chong, ZHAO Yuan, RAZA Ali, CHEN Daifen. Simulation and optimization for the PEMFC based on single-cell stack structure[J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(8): 91-96.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1

Fig.2

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Governing equation

方程	公式及描述
连续性方程	$∇ ⋅ ρ u → = S m$ $∇ ⋅ 1 ε 1 - S ρ u → = S m$ 式中： $ρ$ 和 $u →$ 为气体的密度与速度; $S$ 为液态水的饱和度; $ε$ 为多孔介质层的孔隙率; $S m$ 为质量源项
动量方程	$∇ ⋅ ρ u → u → = - ∇ p + ∇ ⋅ μ ∇ u → + S u ∇ ⋅ 1 ε 2 (1 - s) 2 ρ u → u → = - ∇ p + ∇ ⋅ 1 ε 1 - s μ ∇ u → + S u$ 式中： $μ$ 为气体动力黏度; $p$ 为气体压力; $S$ 为液态水的饱和度; $ε$ 为多孔介质层的孔隙率; $S u$ 为动量源项
组分方程	$∇ ⋅ 1 ε 1 - s c k u → = ∇ ⋅ D k e f ∇ c k + S k$ 式中： $c k$ 为对应组分 $k$ 的浓度; $D k e f$ 为对应组分的有效扩散系数; $S k$ 为对应组分的组分源项
液态水方程	$p c = σ c o s θ c ε K J 1 - s θ c < 90 ∘ σ c o s θ c ε K J s θ c > 90 ∘$ $J x = 1.417 x - 2.12 x 2 + 1.263 x 3$ 式中： $S 为$ 液态水的在多孔介质中的饱和度,其定义为液态水体积占多孔介质中传质通道体积的百分比; $θ c$ 为液滴与壁面的接触角; $σ 为$ 表面张力
溶解态方程	$∇ ⋅ i → m n d F = ∇ ⋅ D w i ∇ λ + S λ + S g d + S l d$ 式中： $i → m$ 为离子电流密度; $λ$ 为计算区域的溶解态水含量; $n d$ 为电渗透系数; $D w i$ 为溶解态水的扩散系数; $S λ$ 为电化学反应产生水所带来的溶解态水的源项; $S g d$ 为溶解态水域气态水转化所产生的源项; $S l d$ 为溶解态水与液态水相互转化所产生的源相
能量守恒方程	$∇ ⋅ ε ρ c p u - T = ∇ ⋅ k e f f ∇ T + S Q$ 式中： $k e f f$ 为有效热导率; $T$ 为温度; $S Q$ 为热量源项
电化学方程	$∇ ⋅ σ s o l ∇ φ s o l + R s o l = 0 ∇ ⋅ σ m e m ∇ φ m e m + R m e m = 0$ 式中： $φ s o l$ 为固相电势即电子产生的电势; $φ m e m$ 为膜相里势即离子电势; $σ$ 为对应导体中对电子或离子的电导率; $R$ 为对应相中电子或离子的源项,即实际产生的电流密度大小

Table 3

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig.6

Fig.7

Fig.8

Fig.9

Fig.10

References 13

[1]	郭天民. 准对称固体氧化物燃料电池电极材料的研究与表征[D]. 徐州: 中国矿业大学, 2019.
[2]	胡小夫, 汪洋, 田立, 等. 中高温SOFC/MGT联合发电技术研究进展[J]. 华电技术, 2019, 41(8): 1-5.
	HU Xiaofu, WANG Yang, TIAN Li, et al. Progress in intermediate and high temperature SOFC/MGT combined power generation technology[J]. Huadian Technology, 2019, 41(8): 1-5.
[3]	郭雅婷, 邓甜音, 刘艳莹, 等. 碱性电解水制氢隔膜和阳极材料性能研究[J]. 综合智慧能源, 2022, 44(5): 64-68. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2022.05.007
	GUO Yating, DENG Tianyin, LIU Yanying, et al. Research on the performance of membranes and anode materials in alkaline water electrolysis[J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(5): 64-68. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2022.05.007
[4]	刘旺玉, 何芋钢, 罗远强, 等. 仿猪笼草结构的质子交换膜燃料电池流道设计[J]. 电源技术, 2022, 46(3): 280-283.
	LIU Wangyu, HE Yugang, LUO Yuanqiang, et al. Design of PEMFC flow channel imitating Nepenthes alata structure[J]. Chinese Journal of Power Sources, 2022, 46(3): 280-283
[5]	于建平, 魏慧利, 许思传. PEMFC蛇形流道几何结构的多目标优化[J]. 佳木斯大学学报(自然科学版), 2022, 40(1): 63-68.
	YU Jianping, WEI Huili, XU Sichuan. Multi-objective optimization of PEMFC serpentine flow channel geometry structure[J]. Journal of Jiamusi University (Natural Science Edition), 2022, 40(1): 63-68.
[6]	陈佳浩, 苏丹丹, 梁玉娇, 等. 基于多物理场的PEMFC流场结构优化[J]. 电池工业, 2021, 25(6): 285-290.
	CHEN Jiahao, SU Dandan, LIANG Yujiao, et al. Optimization of flow field structure of PEMFC based on multiple physical fields[J]. Chinese Battery Industry, 2021, 25(6): 285-290.
[7]	梁凤丽, 闻冉冉, 毛军逵, 等. PEMFC流道结构研究现状及发展趋势[J]. 南京航空航天大学学报, 2021, 53(4): 477-503.
	LIANG Fengli, WEN Ranran, MAO Junkui, et al. Status and development trend of PEMFC flow channel structure[J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2021, 53(4): 477-503.
[8]	KURNIA J C, SASMITO A P, SHAMIM T. Performance evaluation of a PEM fuel cell stack with variable inlet flows under simulated driving cycle conditions[J]. Applied Energy, 2017, 206: 751-764. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.224
[9]	SURESH P V, JAYANTI S, DESHPANDE A P, et al. An improved serpentine flow field with enhanced cross-flow for fuel cell applications[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2011, 36(10) : 6067-6072. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.01.147
[10]	董琪琪. 质子交换膜燃料电池流道内促排水方法研究[D]. 西安: 西北工业大学, 2019.
[11]	王季康, 李华, 彭宇飞, 等. PEMFC建模及性能分析控制[J]. 电子测量技术, 2022, 45(8):27-34.
	WANG Jikang, LI Hua, PENG Yufei, et al. PEMFC modeling and performance analysis control[J]. Electronic Measurement Technology, 2022, 45(8):27-34.
[12]	张立栋, 陈怡冰, 龚明, 等. 质子交换膜电解水制氢影响因素的过程模拟[J]. 综合智慧能源, 2022, 44(5): 88-94. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2022.05.010
	ZHANG Lidong, CHEN Yibing, GONG Ming, et al. Process simulation of factors affecting proton exchange membrane water electrolysis for hydrogen production[J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(5): 88-94. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2022.05.010
[13]	邹雨廷. 质子交换膜燃料电池动热质电耦合仿真研究与优化设计[D]. 镇江: 江苏科技大学, 2021.

部件	值	单位
流道高度	0.800	mm
流道宽度	0.800	mm
肋宽	0.800	mm
BP厚度	1.600	mm
GDL厚度	0.190	mm
CL厚度	0.015	mm
PEM厚度	0.050	mm
活性面积	510.400	mm²

项目		值	单位
操作温度		60	℃
操作压力		101 325	Pa
BP	材料密度	1 990	kg/m³
	比热容	710	J/(kg·K)
	电导率	92 600	S/m
	热导率	120	W/(m·K)
GDL	材料密度	321.5	kg/m³
	电导率	280	S/m
	液水接触角	110	(°)
	孔隙率	0.6
	渗透率	1.76×10^-11	m^-2
CL	孔隙率	0.4
	渗透率	1.76×10^-11	m^-2
	比表面积	1.127×10⁷	m^-1
PEM	热导率	0.16	W/(m·K)
	干膜密度	1 980	kg/m³
	干膜当量质量	1 100	kg/kmol
电化学反应相关参数	孔隙堵塞饱和度指数	2
	阳极浓度指数	1
	阴极浓度指数	1
	开路电压	1.05	V
	阳极参考浓度	0.881 4	mol/m³
	阴极参考浓度	0.881 4	mol/m³
	阳极电荷转移系数	1
	阳极参考电流密度	7.17	A/m²
	阴极电荷转移系数	1
	阴极参考电流密度	7.17×10^-5	A/m²

[1]	GAO Yuan, LI Zhi, LI Jiahong, GAO Jiutao, LI Chengxin, LI Changjiu. Progress in technologies of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(8): 1-24.
[2]	LUO Liqi, WANG Yue, ZHONG Haijun, LI Qingxun, XIE Guangyuan, WANG Shaorong. Design of the CHP system integrated with SOFC [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(8): 25-32.
[3]	CAO Jiafeng, LI Xinran, SHAO Shande, JI Yuexia, SHAO Zongping. Review on the study of protonic ceramic fuel cells' stability [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(8): 58-67.
[4]	XU Yangsen, ZHANG Lei, BI Lei. Development and challenges of intermediate-temperature proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(8): 68-74.
[5]	Xinye DU, Jianxi WANG, Yonghui SUN, Yi HE, Pengpeng WU, Wei ZHOU. Optimal planning of hybrid energy storage systems in microgrids considering seawater desalination and hydrogen production [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(5): 49-55.
[6]	Ziqiu LI, Ying QIAO, Zongxiang LU. Operation optimization of offshore wind-multi-stack hydrogen system considering efficiency and lifetime [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(5): 69-77.
[7]	Lidong ZHANG, Yibing CHEN, Ming GONG, Hualiang ZHAO, Xin WANG, Hongyan HUANG. Process simulation of factors affecting proton exchange membrane water electrolysis for hydrogen production [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(5): 88-94.
[8]	CHEN Yihui, LIN Lingqi, TIAN Xin, ZHANG Dongliang, WU Jun, LIU Zichen. Three-level wind power AVC coordinated control strategy [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(4): 20-27.
[9]	GUO Guangzheng, GOU Yujun, ZHONG Xiaohui. Simulation study on the effect of flow channel's different cross-section on PV/T system performance [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(4): 76-84.
[10]	LI Xujiong, SUN Linhua, YANG Guoming. MPPT for PV systems appended with centripetal attribute based on improved PSO algorithm [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(3): 70-76.
[11]	LU Xiaomin, ZHANG Ming, DENG Xing, WANG Liwei, TAO Yibin, HU Anping. Optimal capacity configuration for multi-station integration considering multiple uncertainties [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(1): 31-38.
[12]	YAO Zhehao, ZHENG Puyan, YUAN Yanzhou. Operation optimization of dual-source distributed energy supply systems based on two-level strategy [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(1): 56-62.
[13]	JIANG Wenkun, HAN Yinghui, XUE Zhiwen, ZHU Yongqi, XU Yanmei. Energy storage technologies and their applications in multi-energy complementary power system [J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(1): 63-71.
[14]	WANG Zongheng, XIONG Hongtao, SHANG Lei. Study on half-wave and full-wave active power injection damping technology for photovoltaic power stations [J]. Huadian Technology, 2021, 43(9): 31-36.
[15]	CHEN Yang, CHENG Lefeng, ZOU Tao. A path planning strategy based on ant colony algorithm for series-connected battery packs [J]. Huadian Technology, 2021, 43(8): 27-32.