Abstract
Air-blowing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been developed as a potential new power source for portable electronic devices. However, air-blowing PEMFCs show lower performance than compressed-air PEMFCs because of their adverse operating conditions. In this study, the effects of the cathode channel size and operating conditions on the performance of the air-blowing PEMFC were analyzed. At the normal operating temperature, the performance of the air-blowing PEMFC improved with the decrease in the cathode channel size. However, at a low operating temperature and low fan voltage, massive flooding limits the decrease in the cathode channel size. In addition, water management in the air-blowing PEMFC was investigated by analyzing ohmic resistance. The transition current density between the humidification and the flooding region decreased with decreasing cathode channel size and operating temperature.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 441-448 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Applied Energy |
Volume | 111 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 Nov |
Keywords
- Air-blowing PEMFC
- Cathode channel size
- Cell performance
- Operation region
- Water management
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Mechanical Engineering
- Energy(all)
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
- Building and Construction
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment