Enhanced electrochemical performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell through optimal bolt configuration design

Xinyang Tan, Ao Sun and Tongze Su

Applied Energy, 2025, vol. 378, issue PA, No S0306261924021445

Abstract: Components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs) are typically stacked by bolts. Bolt configuration is crucial to contact pressures and performance of PEMFCs. In this paper, a PEMFC is designed and investigated with various bolt configurations. Three-dimensional models of the PEMFC with different bolt configurations are built. Finite element analysis(FEA) is performed to simulate contact pressures between gas diffusion layer(GDL) and bipolar plate(BPP). Measurement of contact pressures between GDL and BPP is carried out to validate the simulated results. In addition, polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) tests are conducted to evaluate performance of the PEMFC with the different bolt configurations. FEA results show that bolt configuration presents significant impact on contact pressure magnitudes and uniformity of pressure distribution of the GDL and BPP. Contact pressure between GDL and BPP raises corresponding to the increasing number of bolts while the fuel cell is applied with the same total assembly torque. Uniformity of contact pressure distribution improves as number of bolts increases from 4 to 8. However, increasing number of bolts further from 8 to 12 does not significantly enhance uniformity of the pressure distribution. Moreover, outcomes derived from the polarization curve and EIS tests reveal a rise in the fuel cell's maximum power density and a reduction in Ohmic resistance as number of bolts increases from 4 to 8. These findings highlight the optimal bolt numbers that yield maximum power density. Additionally, distribution of bolts has an impact on electrochemical performance of the PEMFC. Under identical conditions, arranging the bolts in Distribution Type 1 results in improved electrochemical performance of the PEMFC. The results indicate that PEMFC has better electrochemical performance through optimal bolt configuration design. The study can provide useful information for PEMFC stack assembly in practical applications.

Keywords: PEMFC; Bolt configuration; Contact pressure; Electrochemical performance; Finite element analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124761

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