Optimization of heat dissipation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells and coupling of waste heat-hydrogen storage system

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8484.2025.06.010

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to reduce the impact of waste heat on performance in the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and to improve energy utilization efficiency during the operation of the PEMFC, the numerical optimizations of PEMFC’s output characteristics and cooling conditions were carried out based on the traditional single direct current cooling channel, with a thermal coupling model being established between PEMFC and metal hydride hydrogen storage reactor. The results show that PEMFC achieves an output of 561.2 W under the operating conditions of 333 K and 1.41 A/cm²; the optimal cooling conditions, where the heat generated by the fuel cell can fully drive hydrogen release from the hydrogen storage reactor, are an inlet water temperature of 330 K and a flow rate of 15 cm/s. The system operates stably, the temperature of the hydrogen storage tank is maintained at 314 K, and the total power supply reaches 0.78 kWh during the period from 334 s to 3 615 s. Therefore, optimizing the operating parameters of PEMFC enables efficient thermal coupling between the power generation and hydrogen storage systems.

Key words: proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), metal hydride hydrogen storage reactors, output characteristics, coupling systems, waste heat utilization

CLC Number:

TM911.4

LANG Dongyu, BAO Gang, ZHANG Shu, YU Zhenyu, SUN Jiahong, XIE Huaqing. Optimization of heat dissipation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells and coupling of waste heat-hydrogen storage system[J]. Journal of Automotive Safety and Energy, 2025, 16(6): 905-913.

Figures/Tables 18

References 17

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气体扩散层厚度	0.30 mm
气体扩散层孔隙率，	0.80
催化层厚度	20 μm
催化层孔隙率，	0.50
集流板高度	1.30 mm
气体流道高度	0.60 mm
气体流道宽度	4.0 mm
燃料电池长度	25.0 mm
燃料电池宽度	8.0 mm
冷却水管半径	0.20 mm

气体扩散层厚度	0.30 mm
气体扩散层孔隙率，	0.80
催化层厚度	20 μm
催化层孔隙率，	0.50
集流板高度	1.30 mm
气体流道高度	0.60 mm
气体流道宽度	4.0 mm
燃料电池长度	25.0 mm
燃料电池宽度	8.0 mm
冷却水管半径	0.20 mm

	ρ / (kg·dm^-3)	k / (W·m^-1·K^-1)	c_p / (kJ·kg^-1·K^-1)
质子交换膜	1.00	0.20	4.000
集流板	7.85	44.50	4.751
气体扩散层	0.20	25.00	0.700
催化层密度	2.00	8.00	0.700

	ρ / (kg·dm^-3)	k / (W·m^-1·K^-1)	c_p / (kJ·kg^-1·K^-1)
质子交换膜	1.00	0.20	4.000
集流板	7.85	44.50	4.751
气体扩散层	0.20	25.00	0.700
催化层密度	2.00	8.00	0.700

网格数量	T / K
网格数量	电池	质子交换膜
117 738	332.81	332.93
228 541	332.79	332.90
451 833	332.69	332.80
1 194 962	332.68	332.78