PEFC System Reactant Gas Supply Management and Anode Purging Strategy: An Experimental Approach

Naseruddin Khan, Yousif Al-Sagheer and Robert Steinberger-Wilckens
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Naseruddin Khan: Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Yousif Al-Sagheer: Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Robert Steinberger-Wilckens: Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: In this report, a 5 kW PEFC system running on dry hydrogen with an appropriately sized Balance of Plant (BoP) was used to conduct experimental studies and analyses of gas supply subsystems. The improper rating and use of BoP components has been found to increase parasitic loads, which consequently has a direct effect on the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) system efficiency. Therefore, the minimisation of parasitic loads while maintaining desired performance is crucial. Nevertheless, little has been found in the literature regarding experimental work on large stacks and BoP, with the majority of papers concentrating on modelling. A particular interest of our study was the anode side of the fuel cell. Additionally the rationale behind the use of hydrogen anode recirculation was scrutinised, and a novel anode purging strategy was developed and implemented. Through experimental modelling, the use of cathode air blower was minimised since it was found to be the biggest contributor to the parasitic loads.

Keywords: PEFC system; control systems; hydrogen purging; water management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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