Papers by Keyword: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract: A nonlinear model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is proposed to study different operational conditions effect on the dynamic response of Ballard 1.2kW Nexa power module. A hybrid learning algorithm combining back propagation (BP) and least squares estimate (LSE) is adopted to identify the parameters of input and output membership functions for the improvement of training efficiency in the ANFIS. The comparisons with the experimental data demonstrate that the obtained ANFIS model can efficiently approximate the dynamic output response of Nexa power module and is capable of predicting dynamic performance in terms of stack output voltage with a high accuracy.

Abstract: Hydrogen energy fuel cell is one of the clean/green energy solutions for the environmental pollution, global warming, and petroleum energy shortage. This study investigates the dynamic characteristic of the green hydrogen energy fuel cell: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). PEMFC has been adopted to be the power supplier of the vehicle, small train, etc. A lot of researchers aim on pure electrical property analysis. However, to put PEMFC power system on the road, some mechanical properties of the system should also been examined. In this paper, the dynamic characteristic of a single PEMFC is studied. A single PEMFC (L112×W82×D6 mm) is set up and measured for the time and frequency response. Several fundamental modes are found experimentally which should be avoid during operation period of PEMFC especially in a moving vehicle.

Abstract: During the average fifty or sixty years of building lifecycles, large amounts of energies are consumed at all stages, from the production of building materials, transportation for project constructions, daily use, and maintenance to demolition, in particular, the daily energy consumption of air-conditioners, lighting, and elevators. The main “energy saving indicator,” from among nine green building indicators, evaluates the electrical power consumption of air conditioners and lighting. The main evaluation items are building envelope heating load ratio, air-conditioner energy efficiency ratio, and lighting energy saving ratio. During evaluation, the promotion and application of renewable energy is encouraged by incentive factors. The development and use of renewable energy technology may improve energy utilization efficiency, maintain a balance of supply and demand, and reduce environmental pollution, thus, this study developed a indoor personal office system with 1KW solar energy and a 500W proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM fuel cell) as the power source, which is composed of LED indoor lighting, air fan, LED table lamp, notebook computer, printer, and acoustic equipment. Under continuous operations of 24h, this office system will generate 12kwh of electricity, which reduces 7.656kg of carbon dioxide output. If continuously operated for 1 year, it will generate 4,320kwh electricity, which reduces 2,756.16kg of carbon dioxide output. In addition, the side product water can be recycled as landscape water.

Abstract: Nitrogen-doped carbon supported Co catalysts (CoNC) were synthesized via condensation reaction of pre-polymer of melamine formaldehyde resin with addition of cobalt nitrate salt, followed by carbonization in nitrogen. Rotating disk electrode technique (RDE) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) were used to identify the structure and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics of the catalysts. The results show that the catalysts with 3.77 wt% Co loading yield the best ORR catalytic activity. Koutecky-Levich plots indicate ORR mechanism is governed by mixed mechanisms and the measured electron number varies between 2 and 4. SEM image shows an irregular lamellar structure of CoNC catalyst formed at high temperature, and different Co loadings in CoNC catalyst do not change its surface morphology.

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are considered to be a promising technology for clean and efficient power generation in the twenty-first century. Current PEMFCs are usually flat designs which needs the expensive bi-polar to transport the reactants to every fuel cell. In this paper, a novel cylindrical PEMFC has been designed and made. The structure of cathode is a spiral. The static analysis and thermal analysis of the cell shell and the spiraled cathode were carried out with FEM software. Based on the simulation, the cylindrical PEMFC has been made and tested. The simulation results show that the cylindrical PEMFC meets the requirements of the mechanical performance and electricity performance. The tested result shows that the power density of the cylindrical PEMFC can reach 10mW/cm2 when the hydrogen pressure is 0.2Mpa and the open circuit voltage is 0.8V.

Abstract: The sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)/bisphenol S diglycidyl ether (DEBS)/POSS ternary hybrids is designed and prepared to incorporate POSS into SPEEK to form a new cross-linked proton exchange membrane (PEM). Compared with the SPEEK, the ternary hybrids possesses lower water uptake (WU) and linear expansion (LE), but higher proton conductivity. The proton conductivity of SPEEK/DEBS/POSS can reach to 1.1×10^-1 S/cm.

Abstract: This paper experimentally investigates the dynamic response of a single fuel cell under various dynamic loadings with different operating conditions. Three kinds of loadings are applied to the PEM fuel cell and they are simulated NEDC mode, simulated 10/15 mode, and modified mode. The operating conditions are set at different cell temperatures, humidification temperatures, and stoichiometric rates during each test to study the effects of these parameters on the cell performance of a PEM fuel cell. The cell performance is found increased with increasing cell temperature in the range of 45-65°C. On the other hand, there exist optimal conditions for the humidification temperature and the stoichiometric rate at 70°C/60°C and 1.5/2.0 on the anode and cathode sides, respectively.

Abstract: In situ namometer silicon bioxide modification of Poly-2-acrylamido-methyl propane sulfonic acid (PAMPS)-composite-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes were prepared by sol-gel for DMFC. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of the membranes were measured, at the same time, the influences of the content of the AMPS on the proton conductivity and methanol permeability of the membranes were studied by the impedance analyzer and gas chromatography instrument. The results showed that AMPS is easily blended into PVA modified by SiCl₄ and mechanical properties and thermal stability were improved, with increasing of the content of AMPS, the proton conductivity of SiO2/PVA-PAMPS membranes was increased, correspondingly, methanol permeability became large gradually.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane, poly (vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) blended polystyrene sulfonated acid(PSSA) was prepared by Blend polymerization method. Mechanical properties of membranes were investigated by the multi-functional material experiment machine.The influences of the content of the styrene on the proton conductivity and methanol permeability of the membranes were studied by the impedance analyzer and gas chromatography instrument. The results showed that Polystyrene is easily blended into PVDF and mechanical properties were improved, with increasing of the content of styrene, the proton conductivity of PVDF-PSSA membranes was increased, and arrived at maximum as the styrene content was 20%, correspondingly, methanol permeability became large gradually.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane, poly (vinylidene fluoride) blended polystyrene sulfonated acid (PVDF-PSSA) was prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to characterize changes of the membrane's microstructures after grafting and sulfonation. The morphology of the membrane's microstructures and distribution of sulfur on the cross section after grafting and sulfonation is studied by scanning electrolytic microscope. The results showed that polystyrene is easily blended into PVDF. The sulfonation reaction occurred not only on the surface of the membrane, but also in the membrane.