A model based investigation of evaporative cooling for polymer electrolyte fuel cells – System level analysis

Evaporative cooling is a promising concept to reduce the fuel cell system volume and mass significantly. This paper investigates interactions between stack balance of plant in an evaporatively cooled polymer electrolyte (PEFCS). For this, zero-dimensional PEFCS model, comprising stack, air compressor, charge cooler, humidifier, hydrogen recirculation blower, condensing radiator water separator has been developed analyzed. Two evaporative architectures are compared conventional, liquid cooling. Optimal operating conditions determined by numerical optimization net power output. Main results show that works on level over wide range conditions. The optimum highest efficiencies achieved at high temperatures (80–90 °C), low pressure (125–150 kPa) corresponding cathode stoichiometry 1.5 3, allowing for closed loop same time. compressor shows increased demand, conventional exhaust gas condenser identified as one critical component Its performance key efficient operation all ambient