Investigating the Impact of Hydrogen Gas Moisture Content on Electricity Generation in PEM Fuel Cells

Year 2023, , 191 - 196, 31.12.2023

Berat Fırat Dalğıç , Selman Aydın

https://doi.org/10.36222/ejt.1393629

Abstract

In the realm of energy sources, non-renewable fossil fuels, such as petroleum derivatives, continue to pose a significant threat to our planet. Currently, hydrogen energy, derived from renewable sources, is under extensive research, primarily due to its high efficiency, versatile applications, and zero carbon emissions. Hydrogen gas has become an indispensable alternative energy source owing to its numerous advantages. The technology that enables efficient utilization of hydrogen gas as an energy source is fuel cells, with Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEM Fuel Cells) being the most significant advancement in this field. In this study, anode and cathode moisture levels were investigated by experimental study on the obtained efficiency of PEM fuel cell performance. Pure hydrogen and oxygen gases were used in the anode and cathode sections of the experiment, respectively. The test stand and a 6 cell 35 watt fuel cell with 9 cm2 active area were used for the test. Temperature and water accumulation, especially humidification in PEM fuel cells, can be achieved by keeping the hydrogen flow, oxygen flow and battery temperature under control. In the experimental study, the fuel cell humidification rate is gradually increased by keeping the flow and line temperature constant. 30% - 35% - 40% - 45% - 50% - 55% - 60% - 65% - 70% of the results obtained in the voltage, amperage and their effects on watts. As a result of the experimental study, humidification rate has a significant effect on the performance of PEM fuel cell. With the increased humidification temperature, the performance of the installed system increased significantly and nominal values were found. However, it is observed that the performance decreases after a certain period of time in the values higher than 60%.

Keywords

PEM Fuel Cell, Moisture, Hydrogen, Oxygen

References

• [1] Aydın, A., Kayri, İ., & Aydin, H. Electrical and thermal performance enhancement of a photovoltaic thermal hybrid system with a novel inner plate-finned collective cooling with different nanofluids, International Journal of Green Energy, (2023) DOI: 10.1080/15435075.2023.2201345.
• [2] Şenaktaş, B., Hydrogen Energy, Production, and Applications, Master's Thesis, Pamukkale University Institute of Science, Denizli, 2005.
• [3] Ou, K., Yuan, WW., Choi, M., Yang, S., Kim, YB. Performance increase for an open-cathode PEM fuel cell with humidity and temperature control , International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 42(50), 29852-29862, 2017.
• [4] Wang, L., Husar, A., Zhou, T., Liu, H., "A Parametric Study of PEM Fuel Cell Performances, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 28, 1263-1272, 2003.
• [5] Içingür, Y., Design and Testing of Gas Flow Plates for Use in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell, Gazi University, Politeknik Dergisi, 14, 31-34, 2011.
• [6] Eker, E., Modeling Heat and Water Management in PEM Fuel Cells, Master's Thesis, Sakarya University, Institute of Science, Sakarya, 2012.
• [7] Yılmaz Ulu, E., Experimental and Theoretical Energy, Exergy, and Electromagnetic Analysis of Solar-Hydrogen Hybrid Energy System, Ph.D. Thesis, Pamukkale University, Institute of Science, Denizli, 2010.
• [8] Çelik, C., Investigation of Process Parameters' Effects on Efficiency in Direct Sodium Borohydride Fuel Cell, Ph.D. Thesis, Kocaeli University, Institute of Science, Kocaeli, 2006.
• [9] Kaplan, R., "Comparison of Manufactured and Commercial PEM Fuel Cells' Performances," Master's Thesis, Dumlupınar University, Institute of Science, Kütahya, 2008.
• [10] Ateş, Y., Control of a Hybrid Fuel Cell/Ultra-Capacitor Vehicle Power System Using Artificial Neural Networks, Master's Thesis, Yıldız Technical University, Institute of Science, Istanbul, 2008.
• [11] Keskin, F., Energy Management in a Fuel Cell-Battery Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Master's Thesis, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, 2014.
• [12] Bilen, G., "Design of a 20 m3/h Capacity Hydrogen Generator Using Sharp Electrolysis Method and Investigation of Porous Electrode Materials' Effects on Parameters, Journal of Engineering Research and Applied Science, 3(1), 184-195, 2014.
• [13] Efendioğlu, D., Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Performance Using Experimental Design, Master's Thesis, Istanbul University, Institute of Science, Istanbul, 2013.
• [14] İ.Türe, E., "Hydrogen Production via Photoelectrolysis," 10th Energy Congress of Turkey, pp. 417-421, 2006.
• [15] Alnıak, O., OUR A., Karakaya, Ç., Ertürk, M., Güneş İ., Investigation of Manufacturing High-Pressure Resistant Composite Hydrogen Tank, 7th National Clean Energy Symposium, UTES'2008, Istanbul, December 17-19, 2008.
• [16] Muhtarlıoğlu, T. K., Design of an Environmentally Friendly System Converting Solar Energy to Electrical Energy," Master's Thesis, Gazi University, Institute of Science, Ankara, 2012.
• [17] Silver, G., Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrocatalytic Properties Investigation of Platinum-Based Ternary Catalysts for Use in PEM Fuel Cell Cathode, Master's Thesis, Gazi University Institute of Science and Technology, 2008.
• [18] Oral, E., Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Platinum-Based Ternary Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cell Cathode, Master's Thesis, Gazi University, Institute of Science, Ankara, 2005.
• [19] Barbir, F., PEM Fuel Cells: Theory and Practice, Elsevier Academic Press, USA, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0-12-078142-3.
• [20] Yılmaz, A., Ünvar, S., Ekmen, M., & Aydın, S. Yakıt Pili Teknolojisi. Technological Applied Sciences, 12(4), 185-192, 2017.