Optimization of Water and Thermal Management in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell during Low Temperature Startup

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of the most promising energy devices in automotive applications. Its superiorities include zero-emission, high efficiency, low noise, low vibration and low operation temperature. Low temperature startup is defined as the startup process from a relatively low temperature to normal operation temperature. This process is critical for the performance of PEMFC in application. In this study, the water and thermal management during low temperature startup process (from 10℃ to 80℃) of a PEMFC stack was studied based on the one-dimensional modeling. It is found that the non-uniformity of temperature distributions tends to increase with time during startup. The initial voltage drop is caused by the strong electro-osmotic drag effect, which results in drying of the anode and increase of the stack resistance. Anode catalytic reaction assisted startup is favored for not only to enhance the temperature increasing rate but also to hydrate the anode catalyst layer thus benefiting the water and thermal managements simultaneously. However, cathode catalytic reaction potentially causes cathode flooding, which is unfavorable for water management in low temperature startup in PEMFC stack. © 2018, Electrical Technology Press Co. Ltd. All right reserved.