Optimal Design and Operation of Dual-Ejector PEMFC Hydrogen Supply and Circulation System

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system requires an adequate hydrogen supply and circulation to achieve its expected performance operating life. An ejector-based can reduce the maintenance costs, noise, parasitic power consumption by eliminating recirculation pump. However, ejector’s entrainment capability, restricted geometric parameters flow control variability, only operate properly within a relatively narrow range of output power. This research introduced optimal design operation methods dual-ejector supply/circulation support full PEMFC operations. The technique was demonstrated on 70 kW stack with effective ratio covering 8% 100% geometry ensured each ejector covered specific maximized capability. Furthermore, two ejectors’ opening closing times minimized anode gas pressure fluctuation reduced potential harm PEMFC’s optimizations were based dedicated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models simulations. Bench tests resulting verified simulation optimization results.