The effect of membrane thickness on the exergetic performance in PEMFC

Atak N. N., Erdem Z., Tuna Ş., DOĞAN B., YEŞİLYURT M. K.

International Journal of Exergy, vol.43, no.2, pp.163-176, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 43 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1504/ijex.2024.136936
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Exergy
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.163-176
  • Keywords: exergy destruction, Nafion polymer membrane, PEMFC, proton exchange membrane fuel cell, thermal efficiency, thickness
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this research, thermodynamic analysis of a PEMFC operating at constant temperature (303 K) and pressure (3 atm) with 50 cm2 active surface area was performed, considering the changes in thermal efficiency, exergy destruction, and exergy efficiency when using nafion polymer membranes of different thicknesses (0.0051, 0.0089, 0.0127, and 0.0183 cm). It is observed that the exergy efficiency was lower for a thicker membrane. The exergy efficiency of the system for NF-1135 was 35.93% meanwhile 30.67% for NF-117. Ascending the membrane thickness (MT) from 0.0089 to 0.0183 cm descended the exergy efficiency by 10.31% and thermal efficiency by 12.09%.