Performance and thermal optimization of different length-width ratio for air-cooled open-cathode fuel cell

Chen Zhao, Shuang Xing, Wei Liu, Ming Chen and Haijiang Wang

Renewable Energy, 2021, vol. 178, issue C, 1250-1260

Abstract: Open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cells with compact design have attracted increasing attention in the field of portable energy equipment. This study explores the impacts of different length-width ratios (RL-W) of the cell with the same active area (50 cm2) on cell performance based on various measurements of polarization curves, air velocity profile, and temperature distribution. Results suggest that RL-W has a significant impact on cell performance. Remarkably, a performance improvement of 7% is achieved with the increase of RL-W (4.14–22.40) due to the enhancement of heat and mass transfer ability. The maximum temperature difference at the cathode outlet surface is less than 2 °C when RL-W is 22.40. It is also indicated that the optimum cathode outlet surface temperature is about 48～52 °C. Under the condition of ensuring the structural strength and performance of the cell simultaneously, the appropriate range of RL-W is confirmed as 10–20. The results provide basic data and technical support for the system design and application of open-cathode fuel cells.

Keywords: Active area; Bipolar plate; Heat and mass transfer; Length to width ratio; Open-cathode; Thermal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:178:y:2021:i:c:p:1250-1260

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.131

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