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Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology | Volume 1 | Issue 1 | Article
Article

Water and Thermal Balance in PEM and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

[+] Author and Article Information
Michael G. Izenson

 Creare Incorporated, P.O. Box 71, Hanover, NH 03755mgi@creare.com

Roger W. Hill

 Creare Incorporated, P.O. Box 71, Hanover, NH 03755

J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol 1(1), 10-17 (Apr 21, 2004) (8 pages) doi:10.1115/1.1782918 History: Received January 26, 2004; Revised April 21, 2004
Article
References
Figures
Tables
Citing Articles

A key consideration for portable power systems is that they must operate simultaneously at water balance (no external water supply) and thermal balance (controlled temperature). Water and thermal management are intimately linked since evaporation is a potent source of cooling. This paper presents the basic design relationships that govern water and thermal balance in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks and systems. Hydrogen/air and direct methanol fuel cells are both addressed and compared. Operating conditions for simultaneous water and thermal balance can be specified based on the cell’s electrochemical performance and the operating environment. These conditions can be used to specify the overall size and complexity of the cooling equipment. The water balance properties can have strong effects on the size of the thermal management equipment required.
Copyright © 2004 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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References

1
Dohle, H., Mergel, J., and Stolten, D., 2002, “Heat and Power Management of a Direct-Methanol-Fuel-Cell (DMFC) System, ” J. Power Sources, 111 , pp. 268–282.
2
Ahmed, S., Kopasz, J., Kumar, R., and Krumpelt, M., 2002, “Water Balance in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell System, ” J. Power Sources, 112 , pp. 519–530.
3
Kratschmar, K. W., Pastula, M. E., Wang, G. G., Merida, W. R., and Dong, Z., 2001, “"Heat Balance of An Air-Cooled Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: Theoretical Modelling and Experimental Verification",” presented at "Building the Hydrogen Economy, 11th Canadian Hydrogen Conference", Victoria, BC, Canada.
4
Larminie, J., and Dicks, A., 2000, "Fuel Cell Systems Explained", 1st ed., John Wiley & Sons, Limited, West Sussex, England, p. 308.
5
Izenson, M. G., and Hill, R. W., 2002, “Water Balance in PEM Fuel Cells,” presented at 2002 "ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition", 17–22 Nov 2002, Paper 33168.
6
Narayanan, S. R., Valdez, T. I., Rohatgi, N., Christiansen, J., Chun, W., and Halpert, G., 1998, “Electrochemical Factors in Design of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Systems, ” "Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Proton Conducting Membrane Fuel Cells", Electrochemical Society, 98-27 , pp. 316–326.
7
Picot, D., Metkemeijer, R., Bezian, J. J., and Rouveyre, L., 1998, “Impact of the Water Symmetry Factor on Humidifcation and Cooling Strategies for PEM Fuel Cell Stacks,” J. Power Sources, 75 , pp.251–260.
8
Scott, K., Taama, W. M., and Argyropoulos, P., 1999, “Engineering Aspects of the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System,” J. Power Sources79 , pp. 43–59.
9
Scott, K., Argyropoulos, P., and TaamaW. M., 2000, “Modelling Transport Phenomena and Performance of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Stacks,” "Transactions of the Institute of Chemical Engineers", 78 , Part A, pp. 881–888.
10
Giddey, S., CiacchiF. T., and BadwalS. P. S., 2004, “Design, Assembly, and Operation of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stacks to 1 kWe Capacity, ” J. Power Sources, 125 , pp. 155–165.
11
MoranM. J., and ShapiroH. N., "Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics", 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1996.
12
Rohsenow, W. M., and Choi, H., 1961, "Heat, Mass, and Momentum Transfer", Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Figures

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+Control volume boundary for analysis
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Control volume boundary for analysis
Figure 1

Control volume boundary for analysis

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+Flow rates that determine water accumulation rate
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Flow rates that determine water accumulation rate
Figure 2

Flow rates that determine water accumulation rate

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+Stack heat removal mechanisms for an HAFC over a range of cell temperatures (S=2.5, ambient conditions of 0 percent and 100 percent relative humidity at 30°C)
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Stack heat removal mechanisms for an HAFC over a range of cell temperatures (S=2.5, ambient conditions of 0 percent and 100 percent relative humidity at 30°C)
Figure 3

Stack heat removal mechanisms for an HAFC over a range of cell temperatures (S=2.5, ambient conditions of 0 percent and 100 percent relative humidity at 30°C)

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+Direct stack cooling approach
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Direct stack cooling approach
Figure 4

Direct stack cooling approach

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+Fluid temperatures in direct stack cooling
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Fluid temperatures in direct stack cooling
Figure 5

Fluid temperatures in direct stack cooling

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+Condenser cooling approach
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Condenser cooling approach
Figure 6

Condenser cooling approach

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+Fluid temperatures for condenser cooling
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Fluid temperatures for condenser cooling
Figure 7

Fluid temperatures for condenser cooling

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+Temperature profiles for condenser and stack cooling
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Temperature profiles for condenser and stack cooling
Figure 8

Temperature profiles for condenser and stack cooling

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+Water and heat balance temperatures for a range of air flow rates (dry (0 percent) and saturated (100 percent) ambient air at 30°C)
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Water and heat balance temperatures for a range of air flow rates (dry (0 percent) and saturated (100 percent) ambient air at 30°C)
Figure 9

Water and heat balance temperatures for a range of air flow rates (dry (0 percent) and saturated (100 percent) ambient air at 30°C)

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+Comparison of HAFC and DMFC cooling requirements (baseline conditions, see Table 1)
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Comparison of HAFC and DMFC cooling requirements (baseline conditions, see Table 1)
Figure 10

Comparison of HAFC and DMFC cooling requirements (baseline conditions, see Table 1)

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+Generalized heat exchanger sizing for HAFCs (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio, S)
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Generalized heat exchanger sizing for HAFCs (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio, S)
Figure 11

Generalized heat exchanger sizing for HAFCs (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio, S)

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+Effects of cathode pressure on HAFC thermal management (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for cathode pressure, Pc)
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Effects of cathode pressure on HAFC thermal management (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for cathode pressure, Pc)
Figure 12

Effects of cathode pressure on HAFC thermal management (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for cathode pressure, Pc)

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+Generalized heat exchanger sizing for DMFCs (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio S)
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Generalized heat exchanger sizing for DMFCs (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio S)
Figure 13

Generalized heat exchanger sizing for DMFCs (baseline conditions from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio S)

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+Effects of ambient humidity and stoichiometric flow ratio on DMFC exchanger size (baseline conditinos from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio, S, and ambient relative humidity, φa)
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Effects of ambient humidity and stoichiometric flow ratio on DMFC exchanger size (baseline conditinos from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio, S, and ambient relative humidity, φa)
Figure 14

Effects of ambient humidity and stoichiometric flow ratio on DMFC exchanger size (baseline conditinos from Table 1 except for stoichiometric ratio, S, and ambient relative humidity, φa)

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+Capacity rate ratio and thermal effectiveness for typical HAFC
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Capacity rate ratio and thermal effectiveness for typical HAFC
Figure 15

Capacity rate ratio and thermal effectiveness for typical HAFC

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+“F Factors” for crossflow heat exchangers (from Rohsenow and Choi (12))
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“F Factors” for crossflow heat exchangers (from Rohsenow and Choi (12))
Figure 16

“F Factors” for crossflow heat exchangers (from Rohsenow and Choi (12))

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