Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2023
27th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
A Critical Review of Thermal Management of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)
Submission Author:
Paulo Vitor de faria , SC
Co-Authors:
Paulo Vitor de faria, Júlio César Alves Ferreira, Guilherme Fidelis Peixer, Jaime Lozano, Jader Riso Barbosa Jr., Sergio Yesid Goméz González, Amir Antonio Martins Oliveira
Presenter: Júlio César Alves Ferreira
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2023.COB2023-2029
Abstract
Fuel cells are advanced electrochemical devices that possess the remarkable ability to convert electrochemical reactions into electricity directly. With their high efficiency, they offer a promising means of harnessing energy from renewable sources, particularly clean hydrogen, thereby presenting a viable solution for sustainable power generation. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) use polymer membranes with selective ion channels covered by a catalyst layer to promote electrochemical reactions at low temperatures. Despite significant research efforts, operational challenges still require further resolution, such as maintaining the ideal temperature and humidity for optimal operation under large loads. Recent work in the literature addresses this issue on several fronts: (1) using differential models to understand the phenomena associated with heat generation at specific points in the fuel cell; (2) using integral models that focus on the relationships between the various subsystems that make up the energetic matrix (fuel generation, storage, fuel cell, etc.); (3) and through experimental characterization of fuel cells and waste heat recovery systems for increased energy efficiency. Regarding thermal management, new strategies are emerging, ranging from techniques to intensify heat transfer (e.g., spray cooling and microchannels) to thermoelectric devices that can scale with fuel cell size and power. This paper reviews and discuss the state of the art in fuel cell thermal management, including numerical models and various cooling techniques suitable for different fuel cell applications.
Keywords
Hydrogen fuel cell, PEMFC, Thermal management, renewable fuel, Cooling solutions
