Numerical Simulation on Effect of Separator Thickness on Coupling Phenomena in Single Cell of PEFC under Higher Temperature Operation Condition at 363 K and 373 K

Akira Nishimura (), Daiki Mishima, Kyohei Toyoda, Syogo Ito and Mohan Lal Kolhe
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Akira Nishimura: Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
Daiki Mishima: Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
Kyohei Toyoda: Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
Syogo Ito: Division of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
Mohan Lal Kolhe: Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Agder, P.O. Box 422, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-28

Abstract: In hydrogen energy systems, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is an important component. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of separator thickness (s.t.) in PEFC on the distributions of mass such as H 2 , O 2 , H 2 O and current density when PEFC is operated at 363 K and 373 K. The relative humidity (RH) of supply gases also impacts the operation. The numerical simulation (using a 3D model) with COMSOL Multiphysics has been conducted to analyze the characteristics of PEFC. It has been observed that the molar concentration of H 2 using s.t. of 2.0 mm is smaller compared with the thinner s.t. cases at the initial operation temperature of a cell ( T ini ) = 363 K and 373 K. The molar concentration of O 2 using s.t. of 2.0 mm is smaller compared with the thinner s.t. cases at T ini = 373 K, as well as the case for the RH of supply gases at the anode of 40%RH and cathode of 40%RH (A40%RH/C40%RH) irrespective of T ini . Additionally, it has been clarified that the molar concentration of H 2 O maintains a low value along with the gas channel at T ini = 373 K using s.t. of 1.5 mm and 1.0 mm. Moreover, it has been clarified that the current density using s.t. of 2.0 mm is the highest among the different s.t. irrespective of T ini , which is the most remarkable in the case of A40%RH&C40%RH.

Keywords: PEFC; higher temperature; numerical simulation; separator thickness; relative humidity; mass and current density distribution (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
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