Abstract
A method to estimate the efficiency of a stack of several identical cells is described on the basis of the electrochemical behavior of a single cell. Efficiency of fuel cell stacks is defined by means of a combination of semi-empirical models of polarization curves and dimensionless variables such as reaction extent and utilization. The connection of flows among the cells is basically divided in two extreme cases and one intermediate case. Higher efficiencies are obtained when the same main flow (both anodic and cathodic) passes consecutively through the stack cells (Chain Flow), because it is favored thermodynamically. It is less favored when the main flow is strictly divided among all the cells (Separate Flow). In the intermediate case, the main flow is divided among all the stack cells and all the outlets are collected in one flow. The latter can spontaneously evolve to the more thermodynamically stable behavior of Chain Flow.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A.E. Lutz R.S. Larson J. Keller (2002) Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 27 1103
A. Kazim (2004) Energy Conversion Manage. 45 1949
M.A. Y.A. Cengel (1994) ‘Thermodynamics–An Boles Engineering Approach’ 2nd ed McGraw-Hill Inc.
P.F. Oosterkamp A.A. Goorse L.J. Blomen (1993) J. Power Sources 41 239
K. Kordesch and G. Simader, ‘Fuel Cells and Their Applications’, (VCH, 1996).
E. Chen, in Gregor Hoogers (Ed.), ‘Fuel Cell Technology Handbook’ Chapter 3, (CRC Press LLC, 2003), pp. 3.1–3.30.
A. Weber, R. Darling, J. Meyers and J. Newman, in Handbook of Fuel Cells, Fundamental Technology and Applications, Vol.1, Chapter 7, (Ed. Wiley, 2003), pp. 47–69.
J. Bockris S. Srinivasan (1969) ‘Fuel Cells: Their Electrochemistry’ McGraw Hill New York
J. Kim S.M. Lee S. Srinivasan C.E. Chamberlin (1995) J. Electrochem. Soc. 142 2670
T.E. Springer T.A. Rockward T.A. Zawodzinski S. Gottesfeld (2001) J. Electrochem. Soc. 148 IssueID1 A11
J. Newman (1979) Electrochim. Acta 24 223
A.K. Demin P.E. Tsiakaras V.A. Sobyanin S.Yu. Hramova (2002) Solid State Ionics 152-153 55
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
C. DANTE, R., LEHMANN, J. & SOLORZA-FERIA, O. On efficiency of both single fuel cells and stacks I. J Appl Electrochem 35, 327–337 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-004-7471-2
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-004-7471-2