Stress Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract:

The assembly of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the important factor for the performance. The achievement of proper design will improve the pressure distribution and the electrical contact resistance between fuel cell parts. The assembly pressure affects the contact behavior between of bipolar plate and gas diffusion layer (GDL). In this study, finite element analysis (FEA) was used to analyze the behavior of single cell fuel cell under the variation of assembly pressure. It shows 3D of deformation, and the compression pressure every part of the fuel cell components. The simulation varied the torque assembly from 1 Nm to 3 Nm with increment 0.5 Nm. The simulation using FEA shows that high assembly pressure also affects to the high deformation and stress in the components of fuel cell. This phenomenon affects to the performance of PEM fuel cell.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 52-54)
• Pages: 875-880
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.52-54.875
• Online since: March 2011
• Authors: Kurniawan Miftah, Wan Ramli Wan Daud, Edy Herianto Majlan
• Keywords: Assembly Pressure, Deformation, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, Stress

References

[1] V. Rouss, P. Lesage, S. Bégot, D. Candusso, W. Charon, F. Harel, X. François, V. Selinger, C. Schilo, and S. Yde-Andersen: Mechanical behaviour of a fuel cell stack under vibrating conditions linked to aircraft applications part I: Experimental, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, (2008).

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.08.032

[2] M. Kurniawan, W. R. W. Daud, and E. H. Majlan: Study Effect of Stress in the Electrical Contact Resistance of Bipolar Plate and Membrane Electrode Assembly in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: A Review, Key Engineering Materials, (2010).

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.447-448.775

[3] P. Zhou and C. W. Wu: Numerical study on the compression effect of gas diffusion layer on PEMFC performance, Journal of Power Sources, (2007).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.03.073

[4] G. S. R. Montanini , G. Giacoppo, Experimental Evaluation of The Clamping Pressure Distribution in a PEM Fuel Cell Using Matrix-Based Piezoresistive Thin Film Sensors. 2009, XIX IMEKO World Congress Fundamental and Applied Metrology.

[5] Y. Zhou, G. Lin, A. J. Shih, and S. J. Hu: Assembly pressure and membrane swelling in PEM fuel cells, Journal of Power Sources, (2009).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.01.085

[6] J. Ge, A. Higier, and H. Liu: Effect of gas diffusion layer compression on PEM fuel cell performance, Journal of Power Sources, (2006).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.11.069

[7] P. Lin, P. Zhou, and C. W. Wu: A high efficient assembly technique for large proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks: Part II. Applications, Journal of Power Sources, (2010).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.09.038