Investigating the transient response of a low Pt-loaded PEMFC under various operating conditions

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.46855/energy-proceedings-10907

Understanding the dynamic behavior of low Pt-loaded proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) subjected to rapid load changes is a prerequisite for ensuring reliable devices suitable for transportation applications. The dynamic cell response requires the coupled solution of all the involved processes. To this end, a multiphase non-isothermal pseudo-three-dimensional (P3D) model coupled with a detailed electrochemical sub-model is adopted for a straight fuel cell portion to evaluate the cell dynamic response under the Galvano-dynamic condition. In addition, the mixed wettability model is incorporated to account for the microstructural properties of different porous layers. The effect of catalyst salient features including Pt-loading, ionomer to carbon weight ratio (I/C ratio), additional bare carbon particles, and CL thickness as well as operating conditions including relative humidity and stoichiometry ratios are studied under load cycling.