Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell reactant gas dynamic response and distribution quality

The lifetime of automotive fuel cells is one of the key issues that restrict their commercialization. Previous research results have shown that frequent changing load conditions are the main reason leading to its life attenuation. At present, the dynamic response characteristics and mechanism of fuel cells are not yet clear. The control and structural design for the key components of the long life, high-dynamic response fuel cell systems requires theoretical guidance. To solve this problem, this paper studies the dynamic response characteristics and distribution quality of reactant gas in the process of load change. In this paper, a three-dimension, five serpentine channels, single-phase model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) single cell is built. A new method is created to describe the variation of fuel cell voltage and distribution of reactant gases under the condition of steady state and dynamic state. The effects of working pressure, stoichiometric ratio and variable loading amplitude on the performance of the fuel cell were analyzed in detail, and the gas distribution on the electrode surface under various operating conditions was quantitatively studied. The final conclusions have important guiding significance for the selection of fuel cell operation parameters and variable loading parameters and optimization of operating conditions. The research methods and conclusions of this paper will provide a reference for optimal control and structural design of high-dynamic-response fuel cells, providing a theoretical basis for long-life research of fuel cells. Copyright (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.