Thermodynamic modelling of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Ay M., Midilli A.

International Journal of Exergy, vol.3, no.1, pp.16-44, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 3 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1504/ijex.2006.008324
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Exergy
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.16-44
  • Keywords: cell pressure, cell temperature, current density, efficiency, energy, exergy, fuel cell, PEMFC, thermodynamic irreversibility, EXERGY ANALYSIS, PERFORMANCE, ENERGY, EFFICIENCY, PEMFC
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This paper presents the thermodynamic modelling of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell at various operating conditions through energy and exergy analyses. In addition, the correlations and equations available in literature were used to determine thermodynamic irreversibilities in the PEM fuel cell at different operating conditions such as cell temperature, pressures of anode and cathode, current density, and membrane thickness as a design parameter. In accordance with the practical conditions, it is considered that the anode and cathode pressures range from 3 to 5 atm; cell temperature from 50 to 80°C. Also, the membrane thickness is chosen as 0.016, 0.018 and 0.02cm, respectively. Depending on these data, thermodynamic irreversibilities throughout PEM fuel cell operation are estimated and discussed in detail. Consequently, it is found that thermodynamic irreversibilities in fuel cell increased with a rise of membrane thickness and with a decrease of the cell temperature and pressure. © 2006 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.