Journal Article

FZJ-2017-04273

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Contact Behavior Modeling and its Size Effect on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Qui, D.FZJ* ; Peng, L. ; Yi, P. ; Lai, X. (Corresponding author) ; Janssen, H.FZJ* ; Lehnert, W.FZJ*

2017
Elsevier New York, NY [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.08.088

Abstract: Contact behavior between the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and bipolar plate (BPP) is of significant importance for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Most current studies on contact behavior utilize experiments and finite element modelling and focus on fuel cells with graphite BPPs, which lead to high costs and huge computational requirements. The objective of this work is to build a more effective analytical method for contact behavior in fuel cells and investigate the size effect resulting from configuration alteration of channel and rib (channel/rib). Firstly, a mathematical description of channel/rib geometry is outlined in accordance with the fabrication of metallic BPP. Based on the interface deformation characteristic and Winkler surface model, contact pressure between BPP and GDL is then calculated to predict contact resistance and GDL porosity as evaluative parameters of contact behavior. Then, experiments on BPP fabrication and contact resistance measurement are conducted to validate the model. The measured results demonstrate an obvious dependence on channel/rib size. Feasibility of the model used in graphite fuel cells is also discussed. Finally, size factor is proposed for evaluating the rule of size effect. Significant increase occurs in contact resistance and porosity for higher size factor, in which channel/rib width decrease.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Elektrochemische Verfahrenstechnik (IEK-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 135 - Fuel Cells (POF3-135) (POF3-135)

Appears in the scientific report 2017

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Database coverage:
; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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