流道布置对风冷燃料电池性能影响的研究

风冷燃料电池在无人机上应用具有较大的优势,但其仍然面临着性能低、水热管理复杂等问题。采用数值模拟研究了阴阳极流道顺流、逆流以及交叉流布置方式对风冷燃料电池性能的影响,讨论了各物理量之间的耦合机制。研究发现阴极流道布置对风冷燃料电池关键物理量分布影响显著,受水含量分布不均影响,交叉流布置催化层中电流密度呈现孤立点状分布,相较于顺流流道布置与逆流流道布置,交叉流流道布置具有较好的热管理特性,能够显著提高膜电极中水含量,继而提升风冷燃料电池性能,在0.6 V操作电压下,交叉流流道布置电流密度相比较顺流流道设计提升了约20%,此外研究还发现,环境相对湿度的降低会显著降低风冷燃料电池性能。     

钒微流体燃料电池性能的数值模拟

对一种新型钒微流体燃料电池进行了理论分析并建立了三维数值模型。该模型包含了层流、物质传输与电化学反应等电池内部的物理和化学过程。计算得到的极化曲线与实验数据吻合较好,说明模型是可靠的。通过多场耦合求解,数值模拟了体积流速、燃料纯度等对电池性能的影响。研究结果表明：增大体积流速可以提高电池的功率,但燃料利用率会大幅降低;燃料纯度对燃料电池的电压有较大影响;燃料利用率低是制约微流体燃料电池发展的主要因素之一。通过改进原有Y形流道设计,设计了一种双Y形流道微流体电池,仿真结果显示其可以较大地改善燃料的利用率。     

基于棉线的微流体燃料电池阳极传质特性LB模拟

基于棉线的微流体燃料电池采用棉线作为流道，无须外部泵、易于微型化，是便携式微流体设备非常有前景的电源，但其性能受阳极燃料传质的限制。本文采用格子Boltzmann方法研究基于棉线的微流体燃料电池阳极耦合电化学反应的传质特性，通过构建三维的棉线流道数值模型，计算得到该流道内燃料的速度及浓度分布，并讨论燃料的进口浓度及流量对该电池阳极性能及传质特性的影响。计算结果表明：阳极极化曲线与实验结果吻合较好；燃料在棉线内部的流速较低，在不同阳极过电位下，燃料浓度沿流动方向均降低，且过电位越大降低得越多；进口燃料浓度越高时，平均电流密度越高，阳极性能升高；随着进口燃料流量的增加，棉线与反应界面接触部位的浓度与其他区域浓度之间的差异增大，而进口流量较低时，该浓度的差异较小且流道后段的浓度较低。     

阳极进气湿度对质子交换膜水含量及电流密度分布影响

针对质子交换膜中水分布不均匀造成燃料电池性能降低的问题,将膜和催化层中水传递方程进行耦合实现水在膜和催化层之间连续传递,建立了质子交换膜燃料电池三维稳态模型。利用有限元分析软件COMSOL进行模拟计算,研究了阳极气体在不同湿度下膜电流密度分布并组装单电池进行了验证,分析实验模拟结果表明:模拟极化曲线与实验极化曲线吻合良好。湿度对电流密度分布影响很大,低湿度条件下,脊背下方电流密度大于气体流道下方;高湿度条件下,电流密度分布比较均匀;采用Nafion117较厚膜时,高电流密度下,即使阳极加湿,阳极侧也有脱水的可能。     

基于电-化-热耦合关系NH3-SOFC数值模拟

为探究高温工作状态下的电池内部运行情况，对固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFC)电化学性能及传热传质分布情况进行有效分析，利用COMSOL Multiphysics软件，结合电池内气体扩散、浓物质传递、热量传递和电极中二次电流密度构建多物理场模型，研究了NH₃-SOFC中的传热传质、化学和电化学反应特性。结果表明：燃料为氨气时，提高电池工作温度有利于提高电池输出功率，当1 073.2 K工作温度继续提高时，最大功率和电流密度增长速度降低；NH₃-SOFC与H₂-SOFC输出性能相近。进一步探究了温度和反应物进气摩尔分数对NH₃-SOFC性能影响。发现入口氨气摩尔分数自0.7提升至1时，电池性能得到明显提高；而氧气摩尔分数高于0.2时，其对电池性能影响较小，空气可作为电池阴极气体使用。     

质子交换膜燃料电池强化传质

传质问题制约着燃料电池性能的提高。通过理论分析、Fluent模拟,针对质子交换膜燃料电池流道中加凸台和电极扩散层开孔两种方法,分别研究其对强化电池内部传质的效果。结果表明,上述两种方式均能有效强化电池内部传质,提高电池性能。但是加凸台增加了风机的寄生功率,综合性能提升不显著。     

质子交换膜燃料电池强化传质

传质问题制约着燃料电池性能的提高。通过理论分析、Fluent模拟,针对质子交换膜燃料电池流道中加凸台和电极扩散层开孔两种方法,分别研究其对强化电池内部传质的效果。结果表明,上述两种方式均能有效强化电池内部传质,提高电池性能。但是加凸台增加了风机的寄生功率,综合性能提升不显著。     

三维石墨毡阳极自呼吸微流体燃料电池性能数值模拟

针对采用三维石墨毡可渗透阳极的空气自呼吸无膜微流体燃料电池,建立了三维等温稳态数学模型,对电池中燃料及电解液的流动和传输、电极过程动力学及电荷传递过程进行了模拟,计算获得了具有石墨毡阳极的微流体燃料电池内的传质和燃料渗透特性,研究了石墨毡厚度及反应物（燃料和电解液）流量对电池性能的影响。结果表明：当入口流量为333 μl·min^-1时,采用石墨毡可渗透阳极相比碳纸和碳布可渗透阳极,极限电流密度和极限功率密度分别提升12%和50%;电池电压为0.8 V时燃料渗透引起的寄生电流密度仅占电流密度的0.86%。电池性能随着石墨毡电极厚度增加而升高,但增幅逐渐减小;反应物流量增大,电池的性能先增加后逐渐趋于稳定。     

三维石墨毡阳极自呼吸微流体燃料电池性能数值模拟

针对采用三维石墨毡可渗透阳极的空气自呼吸无膜微流体燃料电池,建立了三维等温稳态数学模型,对电池中燃料及电解液的流动和传输、电极过程动力学及电荷传递过程进行了模拟,计算获得了具有石墨毡阳极的微流体燃料电池内的传质和燃料渗透特性,研究了石墨毡厚度及反应物(燃料和电解液)流量对电池性能的影响。结果表明:当入口流量为333μl·min-1时,采用石墨毡可渗透阳极相比碳纸和碳布可渗透阳极,极限电流密度和极限功率密度分别提升12%和50%;电池电压为0.8V时燃料渗透引起的寄生电流密度仅占电流密度的0.86%。电池性能随着石墨毡电极厚度增加而升高,但增幅逐渐减小;反应物流量增大,电池的性能先增加后逐渐趋于稳定。     

质子交换膜燃料电池仿真模型研究进展

质子交换膜燃料电池具有高效清洁等优势,是一种潜力巨大的绿色能源技术。数学模型作为一种合理可靠的工具,通过模拟电池内部的电化学传热传质过程,研究运行参数和结构参数对电池性能和寿命的影响,可以指导电池的优化设计。本文综述了近年来燃料电池催化层、气体扩散层和流道的研究模型,整理了各部件建模的影响因素和优化方法,以期对燃料电池建模以及电池各部件的优化设计起到参考作用。文中指出,考虑到现在仿真存在的局限性,未来主要研究方向为燃料电池系统研究与机理模型的结合、催化层微观结构的建模、非贵金属催化剂建模、气体扩散层衰减模型研究、大面积流道模型、三维模型温度分布研究以及全尺寸质子交换膜燃料电池模型的开发。     

Experimental study on the effect of reactant flow arrangements on the current distribution in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Current distribution in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is significantly influenced by reactant flow configurations. In this study, the current distribution has been measured experimentally using a segmented flow-field plate and printed circuit board (PCB). Local current distributions for a PEMFC with serpentine flow field and three different flow arrangements including co-flow, cross-flow, and counter-flow arrangements for the anode and cathode streams are investigated along with the effect of flow channel orientation. It is shown that the counter-flow arrangement yields most uniform distribution for the current density, whereas the co-flow arrangement results in a considerable variation in the current density from the reactant gas stream inlet to exit. Flow channel orientation can also impact the cell performance and the current distribution appreciably. The limiting hydrogen concentration at the anode side due to the low stoichiometry condition can have a predominant effect on the current distribution and cell performance.     

质子交换膜燃料电池流场板研究进展

流场板是质子交换膜燃料电池的核心部件之一，其结构直接影响着反应气体的利用效率以及燃料电池的排水及散热性能。综述了近十余年来质子交换膜燃料电池流场板的设计与研究进展。研究者们基于平行流场、蛇形流场、交指流场、点状流场，从流道尺寸、流道截面、进口分配段、流道布置等方面开展结构设计和优化，不同程度提高了燃料电池水热管理以及电性能。此外，各种形式的组合流场可综合不同流场优点，多级分形仿生流场优化了反应物、压力与电流密度分布，三维精细化流场通过改善供气方式降低了浓差极化。     

Effects of heat and water transport on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell under high current density operation

Key challenges to the acceptance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for automobiles are the cost reduction and improvement in its power density for compactness. In order to get the solution, the further improvement in a fuel cell performance is required. In particular, under higher current density operation, water and heat transport in PEMFCs has considerable effects on the cell performance. In this study, the impact of heat and water transport on the cell performance under high current density was investigated by experimental evaluation of liquid water distribution and numerical validation. Liquid water distribution in MEA between rib and channel area is evaluated by neutron radiography. In order to neglect the effect of liquid water in gas channels and reactant species concentration distribution in the flow direction, the differential cell was used in this study. Experimental results suggested that liquid water under the channel was dramatically changed with rib/channel width. From the numerical study, it is found that the change of liquid water distribution was significantly affected by temperature distribution in MEA between rib and channel area. In addition, not only heat transport but also water transport through the membrane also significantly affected the cell performance under high current density operation.     

高温聚合物电解质膜燃料电池大尺寸(200cm2)多蛇形流场模拟与优化

以大尺寸（100mm×200mm, 200cm²）多蛇形流场为研究对象,通过数值模拟和实验的方法探究了阴极多蛇形流场的排布方式对高温聚合物电解质膜燃料电池输出性能的影响。相比于竖向排布多蛇形流场,基于横向排布的多蛇形流场的电池在进气量1.527L/min和电压0.6V时展示出了更高的平均输出电流密度222.78mA/cm²和更均匀的电流密度分布（均一指数为75.3%）。在此基础上,进一步对横向排布流场结构的气体通道数进行了优化。结果表明入口气体通道数的增加可以显著减少流场进出口的压降损失,但电池平均输出电流密度和均一指数也有所降低。其中,9通道横排多蛇形流场有较高的电池性能和较好的电流密度分布均匀性（相对于14通道）和较低的压降损失（相对于6通道）,对进一步提高高温聚合物电解质膜燃料电池的性能及稳定性和商业化应用具有指导意义。     

In-situ methods for the determination of current distributions in PEM fuel cells

This article describes three different techniques for the determination of the current density distribution in operating fuel cells and compares their relative benefits with respect to ease of implementation and information gain. Real-time current density distribution data under steady state as well as transient conditions are presented and it is shown that they can contribute to an improved understanding of water management and reactant distribution over the active fuel cell area. The importance of these factors for the optimisation of fuel cell performance is discussed.     

Comparison of two IT DIR-SOFC models: Impact of variable thermodynamic, physical, and flow properties. Steady-state and dynamic analysis

This paper compares two dynamic, one-dimensional models of a planar anode-supported intermediate temperature (IT) direct internal reforming (DIR) solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC): one where the flow properties (pressure, gas stream densities, heat capacities, thermal conductivities, and viscosity) and gas velocities are taken as constant throughout the system, based on inlet conditions, and one where this assumption is removed to focus on the effect of considering the variation of local flow properties on the prediction of the fuel cell performance. The refined model consists of mass, energy, and momentum balances, and of an electrochemical model that relates the fuel and air gas compositions and temperatures to voltage, current density, and other relevant fuel cell variables. Simulations for steady-state and dynamic conditions have been carried out and the results obtained from the two models compared. For a co-flow SOFC operating on a 10% pre-reformed methane fuel mixture, with 75% fuel utilisation, inlet fuel and air temperatures of 1023 K, average current density of , and an air ratio of 8.5, the results show that, although the error incurred in the prediction of the flow properties in the first model is significant, there is good agreement between both models in terms of the overall cell performance: the maximum difference in the local temperature values is about 7 K and the cell efficiency differs by less than 1%. However, the discrepancies between the two models increase, especially in the fuel channel, when higher current density values are assigned to the cell.     

Modelling the Effect of Inhomogeneous Compression of GDL on Local Transport Phenomena in a PEM Fuel Cell

The effects of inhomogeneous compression of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) on local transport phenomena within a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell were studied theoretically. The inhomogeneous compression induced by the rib/channel structure of the flow field plate causes partial deformation of the GDLs and significantly affects component parameters. The results suggest that inhomogeneous compression does not significantly affect the polarisation behaviour or gas–phase mass transport. However, the effect of inhomogeneous compression on the current density distribution is evident. Local current density under the channel was substantially smaller than that under the rib when inhomogeneous compression was taken into account, while the current density distribution was fairly uniform for the model which excluded the effect of inhomogeneous compression. This is caused by the changes in the selective current path, which is determined by the combination of conductivities of components and contact resistance between them. Despite the highly uneven current distribution and variation in material parametres as a function of GDL thickness, the temperature profile was relatively even over the active area for both the modelled cases, contrary to predictions in previous studies. However, an abnormally high current density significantly accelerates deterioration of the membrane and is critical in terms of cell durability. Therefore, fuel cells should be carefully designed to minimise the harmful effects of inhomogeneous compression.     

Local Flooding Phenomena in Channel and Land Areas Occurring during Dynamic Operation of a PEFC

In this work, we report on flooding phenomena occurring during dynamic operation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The combination of high spatially and temporally resolved neutron radiography and submillimeter resolved current density distribution measurements enables the simultaneous observation of local liquid water content and current density transients in the channel and land areas of a differentially operated PEFC air cathode. The local transients of a triangular voltage sweep and a voltage step are presented here. Both results demonstrate that in the land area the current density is only marginally affected by the local liquid water content. In the voltage sweep experiment, at higher cell polarization a limiting current density is observed in the land area as a result of mass transport limitations due to the high lateral diffusion path length. In the channel area the corresponding transients of the liquid water content and the current density both exhibit a hysteresis. The transients of the voltage step indicate liquid water rearrangement in channel and land areas as a slow process occurring on a time scale of several minutes. Thereby, the local cell performance is primarily affected by the local liquid water content in front of the oxygen electrode.     

以新型渐缩式流道增进质子交换膜燃料电池性能

Based on use of multi-dimensional models, this investigation simulates the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell by varying the channel pattern. In the one-dimensional model, the porosity of the gas diffusion layer is 0.3. The model reveals the water vapor distribution of the fuel cell and demonstrates that the amount of water vapor increases linearly with the reduction reaction adjacent to the gas channel and the gas diffusion layer. Secondly, four novel tapered gas channels are simulated by a two-dimensional model. The model considers the distributions of oxygen, the pressure drop, the amount of water vapor distribution and the polarization curves. The results indicate that as the channel depth decreases, the oxygen in the tapered gas channel can be accelerated and forced into the gas diffusion layer to improve the cell performance. The three-dimensional model is employed to simulate the phenomenon associated with four novel tapered gas channels. The results also show that the best performance is realized in the least tapered gas channel. Finally, an experimentally determined mechanism is found to be consistent with the results of the simulation.