Deformation modulus and optimal design of ridge/groove bending radius for the gas diffusion layer

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8484.2023.01.012

Abstract

Abstract:

A ridge/groove bending radius optimization design method was proposed to eliminate the stress concentration in the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) and to improve the performances and the reliability of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). A nonlinear stress-strain analytical solution of the GDL was established based on the beam bending theory and the geometric probability analysis, and verified by the compression tests with some GDL base material of commercial, such as the commoditie of TGP-H-060 and MGL190. The results show that the deformation modulus are 240 kPa for the TGP-H-060 and 420 kPa for the MGL190, so the nonlinear stress-strain model of GDL fit the experimental data properly. The maximum contact pressure on the upper edge of GDL is minimum, the stress concentration phenomenon is eliminated, and the stress distribution uniformity is the best when the ridge/groove bending radius is 340 μm. The value of the deformation modulus affects the degree of non-uniform deformation, but does not change the deformation distribution. Therefore, this optimal design improves the deformation uniformity of the GDL.

Key words: proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), gas diffusion layer (GDL), deformation modulus, non-uniform deformation, ridge/groove bending radius

CLC Number:

U467.1+4

SHI Qitong, FENG Cong, LI Bing, ZHANG Cunman, MING Pingwen. Deformation modulus and optimal design of ridge/groove bending radius for the gas diffusion layer[J]. Journal of Automotive Safety and Energy, 2023, 14(1): 98-105.

Figures/Tables 13

References 26

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ε / %	σ / kPa
0	0.0
10	40.6
20	146.5
30	428.4
40	1 234.6
50	3 840.0

ε / %	σ / kPa
0	0.0
10	40.6
20	146.5
30	428.4
40	1 234.6
50	3 840.0

L_a / μm	L_b / μm	ψ
40	40	1.561
80	90	1.242
120	200	1.067
160	340	1.024
200	520	1.021
240	740	1.018

L_a / μm	L_b / μm	ψ
40	40	1.561
80	90	1.242
120	200	1.067
160	340	1.024
200	520	1.021
240	740	1.018