A segmented fuel cell unit with functionally graded distributions of platinum loading and operating temperature
journal contribution
posted on 2020-10-19, 11:12 authored by Lei Xing, Yuanxiang Xu, Željko Penga, Qian Xu, Huaneng Su, Frano Barbir, Weidong Shi, Jin Xuan© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Desired electrochemical reaction and mass transport rates vary in the operation of PEM fuel cells due to the inhomogeneous spatial distribution of reactants and products. A segmented fuel cell unit was manufactured and a comprehensive model was developed to study the effect of the graded distributions of platinum loading and operating temperature, to simultaneously save the usage of platinum, improve the cell performance and maintain the homogeneity of current density. The increase of temperature towards the cathode outlet improved the reaction kinetics and reduced the liquid water content along the gas flow direction, which decreased the required platinum loading. A large temperature gradient may lead to membrane/ionomer dehydration and oxygen starvation near the cathode outlet due to the increase in the saturation pressure of vapor and the dilution of the increased vapor content. A systematical design of the gradients of platinum loading and temperature achieved an improved cell performance and saved the usage of Pt-based catalysts without worsening the homogeneity of current density.
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China (21522603, 21878129, 21978118)
Excellent Youth Foundation of Jiangsu Scientific Committee (BK20140011)
Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu province of China (BK20170530)
the start-up funding for young researchers of Jiangsu University (16JDG061)
Innovation and Creation program of Jiangsu province of China (2016–32)
project STIM-REI, contract number: 38 KK.01.1.1.01.0003
History
School
- Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
- Chemical Engineering
Published in
Chemical Engineering JournalVolume
406Publisher
ElsevierVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© ElsevierPublisher statement
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126889Acceptance date
2020-08-31Publication date
2020-09-07Copyright date
2021ISSN
1385-8947Publisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Prof Jin Xuan Deposit date: 15 October 2020Article number
126889Usage metrics
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