Study Of The Effects Of Channel Design On The Performance Of The Polymer Electrode Membrane Fuel Cell
Abstract
This work is concerned with some key aspects relating to design of an integrated proton exchange membrane fuel cell and metal hydrides storage vessel provide efficient hydrogen storage for different applications, containing low temperature polymer electrode membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The metal hydrides systems use unsteady hydride supplies (equilibrium H2 pressure at ambient temperature around 10 bar) both liquid and air heated cooled, and optimized system layout, facilitates H2 supply to low temperature polymer electrode membrane fuel cell stacks. Study and analysis of all currently used storage methods was undertaken, and performance of the fuel cell. A full design task was undertaken with specific attention given to fluid flow regulation and heat transfer in the fuel cell. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were completed to fully inform design decisions a confirm success. An electrical system was also designed to compute control of the components. All items were manufactured and the fully functioning system was tested.
This research concludes the fuel cell voltage was outstanding although reduced time for testing resulted in it dropping short with respect to power and current. It was found that the rectangular channels produced a 0.3W. Furthermore, the stack combined heat and power efficiency was determined to be 52 % and the integrated system total efficiency was 40 %. Finally the cost analysis showed that the payback period of the capital cost invested on the integrated system during a few years.
