Numerical Simulation of the Cold-Start Process of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Yazhou Chen, Sheng Li, Jie Peng (), Weilin Zhuge and Yangjun Zhang
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Yazhou Chen: AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Sheng Li: AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Jie Peng: AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Weilin Zhuge: School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Yangjun Zhang: School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-23

Abstract: In this study, the cold-start process of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has been numerically investigated under various ambient temperatures and operating currents, ranging from subzero to 283 K. The water desorbed from the electrolyte, when the cell temperature is below the freezing point, is assumed to exist in a state of either supercooled water or ice. The evolution of cell voltage, temperature, membrane water content, and the averaged volume fraction of supercooled water or ice in the catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer are presented. The results indicate that the cold-start process may fail due to ice blocking of the cathode catalyst layer when the desorbed water is in the form of ice and the ambient temperature is sufficiently low. However, when the desorbed water is in a supercooled state, it can diffuse from the cathode catalyst layer to the cathode gas diffusion layer, avoiding water clogging and enabling a successful cold-start process. During the cold-start process, as the ice undergoes a melting process, the membrane water content inside the membrane would increase rapidly, and a larger operation current with anode gas humidification is helpful to the cold-start process.

Keywords: polymer electrolyte fuel cell; cold-start; ice formation; melting (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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