Two-dimensional simulation of cold start processes for proton exchange membrane fuel cell with different hydrogen flow arrangements

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-07, Vol.45 (35), p.17795-17812
• Main Authors: Wu, Kangcheng, Xie, Xu, Wang, Bowen, Yang, Zirong, Du, Qing, Xuan, Jin, Zu, Bingfeng, Liu, Zhi, Jiao, Kui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cold-start process; Flow configurations; Hydrogen flow arrangements; PEM fuel cell; Start strategies
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.04.187

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with an off-gas recirculation anode (ORA) or dead-ended anode (DEA) are widely adopted in engineering. However, those two hydrogen flow arrangements may cause anodic water and nitrogen accumulation in comparison with the flow-through anode (FTA) mode, which causes significant performance degradation. In this paper, a two-dimensional cold-start model is developed with detailed consideration of water phase changes and the nitrogen crossover phenomenon. A simplified electrochemical module is built to calculate the current density distribution in the model. The simulation results are consistent with the experimental data at both subzero temperatures and normal operating temperatures. The effects of hydrogen flow arrangements, flow configurations, and startup strategies are investigated during startup process from subzero to normal operating temperatures. Much less ice is generated in counter-flow cases than in co-flow cases during constant current operation. A relatively lower startup voltage can effectively shorten the cold-start process and enhance the cold-start capacity for the PEM fuel cell. The ORA mode has the best hydrogen flow arrangement due to its general abilities, including higher hydrogen utilization efficiency, higher anodic nitrogen tolerance, better output performance and better startup capability. •Modeling of startup process of PEMFC with hydrogen flow arrangements is presented.•More ice accumulation is found in co-flow configuration during subzero process.•Startup at 0.3 V can eliminate differences caused by anode supply arrangements.•Dead-ended anode is more likely failing startup for nonuniform heat distribution.•Off-gas recirculation anode is suggested as the optimal mode for cold start.