Investigation of corrosion properties with Ni–P/TiNO coating on aluminum alloy bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Aluminum alloy bipolar plates have unique application potential in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) due to the characteristics of lightweight and low cost. However, extreme susceptibility to corrosion in PEMFC operation condition limits the application. To promote the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy bipolar plates, a Ni–P/TiNO coating was prepared by electroless plating and closed field unbalanced magnetron sputter ion plating (CFUMSIP) technology on the 6061 Al substrate. The research results show that Ni–P interlayer improves the deposition effect of TiNO outer layer and increase the content of TiN and TiO_xN_y phases. Compared to Ni–P and TiNO single-layer coatings, the Ni–P/TiNO coating samples exhibited the lowest current density value of (1.10 ± 0.02) × 10^?6 A·cm^?2 in simulated PEMFC cathode environment. Additionally, potential cyclic polarization measurements were carried out aiming to evaluate the durability of the aluminum alloy bipolar plate during the PEMFC start-up/shut-up process. The results illustrate that the Ni–P/TiNO coating samples exhibit excellent stability and corrosion resistance.     

一种交直流混合输电系统直流侧双极故障保护策略

为进一步分析含柔性直流输电(MMC-HVDC)的交直流混合输电系统的故障特征,基于交直流混合输电系统和模块化多电平换流器(MMC)的拓扑结构,推导了MMC的数学模型,研究了直流系统双极短路的故障机理和故障特征,针对含MMC-HVDC的交直流混合输电系统的双极短路故障,设计了限流电路及闭锁换流站与交流断路器跳闸相结合的故障保护方案。以厦门市柔性直流输电系统为例,在PSCAD/EMTDC中搭建了交直流混合系统,并对保护方案进行了仿真验证。结果表明,提出的保护策略能有效地降低故障电流,提高系统稳定性。     

The effect of Cr doped in amorphous carbon films on electrical conductivity: Characterization and mechanism

Metallic bipolar plates (BPPs) are prospective candidates for BPPs in PEMFCs due to their lower cost and higher power density than traditional graphite. Coatings are used to enhance the electrical conductivity and anti-corrsive quality of BPPs, and amorphous carbon (a-C) films have attracted broad attentions from both industry and academia. In this study chromium was incorporated into a-C to further enhance conductivity. A series of Cr-doped a-C films (a-C:Cr) with different doping contents were prepared by CFUBMSIP. Moreover, Microstructure analyses and composition characterizations were performed to explore the mechanism. The results show that Cr decreases the interfacial resistance with satisfying the anti-corrosive behavior. XRD patterns indicate that Cr will form chromium carbide phase and pure metal phase. Moreover, TEM results also show that Cr atoms bond with C atoms. SEM photographs show that Cr atoms refine the grain size and compact the film all the same. C 1s spectrum of XPS shows that C-sp²/C-sp³ increases first and then decreases, reaching the maximum level of 1.708 at Cr_0.205, indicating the resistance drops first and then increases. In addition, Cr doping will also bring changes in nano-hardness and surface roughness.     

高熵合金CrNbTiVZr的微观组织及其在模拟PEMFC环境中腐蚀行为研究

采用真空电弧熔炼和热处理制备了CrNbTiVZr高熵合金,利用XRD、SEM/EDS、动电位与恒电位极化曲线测试及XPS表面分析等方法,研究了高熵合金铸态及退火后的微观组织特征以及合金在模拟PEMFC环境中的电化学腐蚀行为及其钝化膜组成。结果表明,CrNbTiVZr高熵合金的铸态和退火组织均由富集Ti、Nb元素的无序BCC相和富集Cr、V、Zr元素的Laves相组成。铸态和退火合金在模拟PEMFC阴极环境中腐蚀电流密度Icorr均比304SS不锈钢下降一个数量级,具有较好的耐蚀性和稳定性,但在阳极环境中其耐蚀性与304SS相当,其中铸态合金的稳定性较差。合金在阴极环境良好的耐蚀性主要与其表面形成由Cr2O3、Nb2O5、V2O3、Ti2O3及ZrO2组成的致密钝化膜关系密切。     

A novel flow field with controllable pressure gradient to enhance mass transport and water removal of PEM fuel cells

An easily machined novel flow field with controllable pressure gradient across adjacent channels was designed and a two dimensional, across-the-channel, two-phase model was developed to study the gas transport and water removal of the novel configuration. The effect of channel-rib width ratio, GDL thickness and pressure gradient on the profiles of oxygen concentration and water saturation within the GDL were investigated. Special attention was paid to the mechanisms of the promoted mass transport and water removal rates under a pressure gradient. The model was validated by experiments with various channel-rib ratios and GDL thicknesses at different operating pressure. The results revealed that, oxygen concentration was increased, and the water saturation was reduced under the rib with a pressure gradient generated across the adjacent channels. The optimal pressure gradient is between 0.1 to 0.2 atm for the studied channel geometry and configuration. The mechanisms of the improved cell performance were elucidated.     

Bipolar membrane electrodialysis for cleaner production of N-methylated glycine derivative amino acids

In this study, cleaner production of N-methylglycine (NMG), N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG), and N,N,N-trimethylglycine (TMG) with similar structures but different methylate groups was performed using bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED). The effects of the feed mass concentration and current density on the separation performance were intensively analysed in terms of the molecular size, molecular structure, ion concentration, and interaction between amino acids and membranes. The results indicated that the optimal recovery performance was achieved at a current density of 200 A/m² and feed mass concentration of 6%. Under the optimal conditions, the energy consumption and current efficiencies were 2.3 kWh/kg and 78% for NMG, 2.49 kWh/kg and 69.5% for DMG, and 3.52 kWh/kg and 39.6% for TMG, respectively. It was speculated a competition for water splitting occurs between the bipolar membranes and anion exchange membranes when BMED is used for the separation and purification of large-sized bioproducts.     

Mechanical degradation of proton exchange membrane during assembly and running processes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells with metallic bipolar plates

The mechanical degradation of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the main aspects affecting the lifetime of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). It was observed in our previous study that the stress/strain distribution in the PEM of fuel cells with metallic bipolar plates (BPPs) is more complex, owing to manufacturing and assembly errors of the BPPs. The present study further concentrates on the stress/strain evolution in the membrane of fuel cells throughout the assembly and running processes by a finite element model. In membranes at the joint area between the gasket and gas diffusion layers, a serious stress concentration aggravated as the misalignment displacement increases. As for the membrane in reaction area, the plastic strain reaches highest level at the center of the groove after hygrothermal loading. The maximum stress is mainly relevant to the temperature and humidity and has little concern with the misalignment. The model and results of this study offer guidance regarding the design of PEMFC. Owing to the stress concentration, an additional protection should be set in the joint area, and the assembly error should be limited within 0.05 mm.     

多孔金属流场双极板研究进展

多孔金属是一种兼具结构与功能的材料,得益于其低密度、高孔隙率、可控渗透性的优点,在许多领域都有广泛应用。本文综述了多孔金属在质子交换膜燃料电池(proton exchange membrane fuel cell,PEMFC)双极板流场中的研究进展,相较于传统流道流场,高开孔率(>70%)的多孔金属具有相互连通的三维立体结构,可以增加气体分布均匀性、并加强气体传质、增强电子和热的传导及水的排出,从而对电池性能有较大提升。同时探讨多孔金属参数、流场结构设计、服役参数目和多孔材料本身对多孔金属流场在PEMFC应用中的影响。目前阻碍多孔金属在PEMFC应用的最大问题是腐蚀,且多孔金属内部结构复杂对涂层制备工艺提出更大挑战,因此如何有效解决多孔金属在PEMFC两极环境中的腐蚀问题,对推进多孔金属在燃料电池领域中的应用意义重大。     

矿井瞬变电磁探测技术与应用

扼要介绍了矿井瞬变电磁法的发展背景、技术特点、井下施工的装置形式,论述了矿井瞬变电磁法相关理论基础,指出了矿井瞬变电磁法的特点,结合实践说明矿井瞬变电磁法是一种有着良好应用前景的探测技术.     

质子交换膜燃料电池开发现状

综述单体质子交换膜燃料电池的技术现状 ,介绍国内外PEMFC的研究进展 ,展望质子交换膜燃料电池技术的发展前景。