Publication
Title
Heat and water management in an Alkaline fuel cell
Author
Abstract
Alkaline fuel cells are low temperature fuel cells for which stationary applications, like cogeneration in buildings, are a promising market. To guarantee a long life, water and thermal management has to be controlled in a careful way. To understand the water, alkali and thermal flows, a two-dimensional model for an alkaline fuel cell module is developed using a control volume approach. Special attention is given to the physical flow of hydrogen, water and air in the system and the diffusion laws are used to gain insight in the water management. The model is validated on the prediction of the electrical performance and thermal behaviour. The positive impact of temperature on fuel cell performance is shown. New in this model is the inclusion of the water management, for which an extra validation is performed. The model shows that a minimum temperature has to be reached to maintain the electrolyte concentration. Increasing temperature for better performance without reducing the electrolyte concentration is possible with humidified hot air.
Language
English
Source (book)
Proceedings of HEFAT2011 : 8th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, 11-13 July 2011, Pointe Aux Piments, Mauritius
Publication
2011
ISBN
978-1-86854-948-1
Volume/pages
p. 586-593
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Project info
Publication type
Subject
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 13.02.2015
Last edited 22.08.2023
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