Publication Detail
PEM Fuel Cell Water and Thermal Management: A Methodology to Understand Water and Thermal Management in an Automotive Fuel Cell System
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UCD-ITS-RR-01-14 Research Report Download PDF |
Suggested Citation:
Badrinarayanan, Paravastu (2001) PEM Fuel Cell Water and Thermal Management: A Methodology to Understand Water and Thermal Management in an Automotive Fuel Cell System. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-01-14
This report presents a methodology to study fuel cell system water and thermal management. The primary objective is to illustrate a methodology that will help a fuel cell system design engineer in understanding the impacts of various parameters on the water and thermal management of the fuel cell system and to aid in devising optimal control strategies. This study has been driven by the dearth of public literature on water and thermal management in automotive fuel cell systems.
First, the requirement of "tools" (models) for such a study is presented. Stack, radiator and condenser models are developed according to the requirements. The tools that are developed are then used for a specific case of a load following direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In the analysis that ensues, the impact of various parameters such as pressure, flow rates and humidification temperatures on the stack are performed. It is made clear that understanding the water transport processes inside a fuel cell is an essential step before devising optimal control strategies for the fuel cell system.
On the anode side, the impact of the anode saturation temperature is studied at the stack and system level. It is shown that though there might be a benefit in stack performance by increasing the anode saturation temperature above the cell operating temperature, there may not be any gain in system performance.
On the cathode side, the impact of pressure and stoichiometry on water and thermal management is studied. As a result, the trade-off between water recovery at the stack and the condenser is explained. Finally, the implication of the water and thermal management parameters on devising optimal control strategies is discussed.
First, the requirement of "tools" (models) for such a study is presented. Stack, radiator and condenser models are developed according to the requirements. The tools that are developed are then used for a specific case of a load following direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In the analysis that ensues, the impact of various parameters such as pressure, flow rates and humidification temperatures on the stack are performed. It is made clear that understanding the water transport processes inside a fuel cell is an essential step before devising optimal control strategies for the fuel cell system.
On the anode side, the impact of the anode saturation temperature is studied at the stack and system level. It is shown that though there might be a benefit in stack performance by increasing the anode saturation temperature above the cell operating temperature, there may not be any gain in system performance.
On the cathode side, the impact of pressure and stoichiometry on water and thermal management is studied. As a result, the trade-off between water recovery at the stack and the condenser is explained. Finally, the implication of the water and thermal management parameters on devising optimal control strategies is discussed.
Master's Thesis