Characteristic Study of Bio-Membrane PEM Fuel Cell for Performance Upgrading

Polymer electrode membrane (PEM) fuel cell has been intensively investigated to improve its output power as a new alternative energy resource. One vital part of PEM fuel cell is its membrane and its critical role in power production of fuel cell. Specifically, the thermal, hydrodynamic and ionic properties of membrane form the core mechanisms of energy generation inside PEM fuel cell. In this simulation study a new design for PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) membrane is suggested based on mechanical and rheological properties of biological cellular membrane using mathematical-computerized modeling approach for total PEM fuel cell that had been built exclusively for the present study. By using biomembrane, the output power of the PEM fuel cell in increased by 33% for the effective range of current density (i.e, 0.4 to 1.2 A/cm2), while the electrical efficiency is improved by 13%20% for the same current density range. Furthermore, for the same hydrogen pressure the output power of biomembrane fuel cell exceeded the power of conventional one by 17% and its electrical efficiency has the same percentage of growth (i.e 17%). © 2016 Alshorman A A. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Conference Program Chairs.