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Estimation of MEA parameters and prediction of PEM fuel cells electrical performances using numerical modelling

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Abstract

In this paper, a coupled model of transfer phenomena within Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) developed from Stefan-Maxwell (in the diffusion and active layers), Butler-Volmer (in the active layer), and water mass transport (in the electrolyte membrane) equations is presented. This modeling allows interpreting experimental results, prediction of PEMFC electrical performances and guiding perspective investigations on optimization of PEMFC. The model helps the research of dominating sensitivity parameters, as well as the estimation of some badly known MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) parameters using fuel cell tests.

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Abbreviations

D ij :

binary diffusion coefficient of species i to j (m2 s−1)

D eff ij :

effective diffusion coefficient of species i to j (m2 s−1)

D m :

effective diffusion coefficient of water in the membrane (m2 s−1)

EW:

equivalent weight (kg mol−1)

ΔG 0*:

activation energy (J mol−1)

E 0 :

standard potential (V)

E cell :

cell potential (V)

L :

thickness (m)

F :

Faraday’s constant (96485 C mol−1)

J i :

density of molar flux (mol m−2 s−1)

M i :

molar weight (kg mol−1)

n :

number of electrons being transferred for one act of the overall reaction

y i :

molar rate of the gas species i

R :

universal gas constant (8.314 J mol−1 K−1)

T :

cell temperature (K)

i 0 :

exchange current density (A m−2)

i :

current density (A m−2)

P :

pressure (Pa)

P sat :

saturated vapor pressure (Pa)

ρdry :

dry Nafion® density (kg m−3)

f v :

roughness factor

ɛ:

porosity

τ:

tortuosity

α:

transfer coefficient

κ:

protonic conductivity (S m−1)

λ:

water content in the membrane (−)

η:

over potential (V)

a:

anode

c:

cathode

m:

membrane

hum:

humidification

cell:

cell

eff:

effective

DL:

diffusion layer

CL:

anodic active layer

ref:

reference

H2 :

hydrogen

H2O:

water

O2 :

oxygen

N2 :

nitrogen

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Energy, Electronics and Process (LE2P), EA 4079, University of The Reunion Island, 15 Avenue Réné Cassin, BP 7151, 97715, Saint Denis, Reunion Island, France

    A. J. -J. Kadjo & J. -P. Chabriat

  2. Pprimme Institute, UPR of CNRS 3346; CNRS, University of Poitiers, ENSMA; Fluid Branch; ENSIP — Bâtiment Mécanique, 40 avenue du Recteur Pineau, 86022, Poitiers Cedex, France

    S. Martemianov

Authors
  1. A. J. -J. Kadjo
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  2. S. Martemianov
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  3. J. -P. Chabriat
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Correspondence to A. J. -J. Kadjo.

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Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2013, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 355–366.

The article is published in the original.

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Kadjo, A.J.J., Martemianov, S. & Chabriat, J.P. Estimation of MEA parameters and prediction of PEM fuel cells electrical performances using numerical modelling. Russ J Electrochem 49, 313–323 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1023193513040083

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1023193513040083

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