质子交换膜燃料电池的三维流场技术研究进展

doi:10.3901/JME.2021.08.002

摘要/Abstract

摘要： 流场板是质子交换膜燃料电池的核心组件之一，其流场结构直接影响着反应气体的传输分配以及燃料电池的排水与散热性能。常规流场往往存在水分布不均和局部热点的现象，容易导致燃料电池输出性能退化，甚至造成系统崩溃。三维流场具有优异的传质传热特性，能有效提高质子交换膜燃料电池性能，已成为当前研究热点。根据流场结构形式的不同，三维流场可分为复杂三维流场、销形三维流场、泡沫三维流场、集成三维流场、波浪三维流场和仿生三维流场等。通过介绍质子交换膜燃料电池的三维流场工作原理，重点分析了不同三维流场结构在水热管理方面的优势，并进一步讨论了增强水热管理的技术措施；总结概述了三维流场结构的常用加工制造技术，详细分析了加工制造技术的优缺点；最后归纳分析了三维流场在实际应用中面临的挑战及未来的发展趋势。

关键词: 质子交换膜燃料电池, 三维流场, 水热管理

Abstract: The flow field plate is one of the core components of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and its flow field structure directly affects the transmission and distribution of reactive gas and the drainage and heat dissipation performance of the fuel cell. The phenomenon of uneven water distribution and local hot spots are common in conventional flow fields, which will lead to degradation of fuel cell output performance and even breakdown of the system. The three-dimensional flow field has excellent mass and heat transfer performance, which can effectively improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and has become a research hotspot. According to the different structure of flow field, three-dimensional flow fields can be divided into complex three-dimensional flow field, pin-type three-dimensional flow field, foam three-dimensional flow field, integrated three-dimensional flow field, wave three-dimensional flow field, bionic three-dimensional flow field and so on. By introducing the working principle of the three-dimensional flow field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the advantages of a three-dimensional flow field structures in water and heat management are analyzed emphatically, and the technical measures to enhance the water and heat management are further discussed. At the same time, the common manufacturing technologies of three-dimensional flow field structure are summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages of manufacturing technology are analyzed in detail. Finally, the challenges in practical application and the future development trend of the three-dimensional flow field are summarized and analyzed.

Key words: proton exchange membrane fuel cell, three-dimensional flow field, water and heat management

中图分类号:

TM911

周伟, 朱鑫宁, 连云崧, 游昌堂. 质子交换膜燃料电池的三维流场技术研究进展[J]. 机械工程学报, 2021, 57(8): 2-12.

ZHOU Wei, ZHU Xinning, LIAN Yunsong, YOU Changtang. Research Progress on Three-dimensional Flow Field Technology of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2021, 57(8): 2-12.

参考文献

[1] HUANG Z Y，SHEN J，CHAN S H，et al. Transient response of performance in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell under dynamic loading[J]. Energy Conversion and Management，2020，226：113492.
[2] BAO Z M，NIU Z Q，JIAO K. Gas distribution and droplet removal of metal foam flow field for proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Applied Energy，2020，280：116011.
[3] NONOBE Y. Development of the fuel cell vehicle mirai[J]. IEEJ Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Engineering，2017，12(1)：5-9.
[4] YOSHIDA T，KOJIMA K. Toyota MIRAI fuel cell vehicle and progress toward a future hydrogen society[J]. The Electochemical Society Interface，2015，24：45-49.
[5] WILBERFORCE T，EI-HASSAN Z，KHATIB F N，et al. Developments of electric cars and fuel cell hydrogen electric cars[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2017，42(40)：25695-25734.
[6] BARGAL M，ABDELKAREEM M，TAO Q，et al. Liquid cooling techniques in proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks：A detailed survey[J]. Alexandria Engineering Journal，2020，59：635-655.
[7] KONNO N，MIZUNO S，NAKAJI H，et al. Development of compact and high-performance fuel cell stack[J]. SAE International Journal of Alternative Powertrains，2015，4(1)：123-129.
[8] NIU Z Q，FAN L H，BAO Z M，et al. Numerical investigation of innovative 3D cathode flow channel in proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. International Journal of Energy Research，2018，42：3328-3338.
[9] KIM J Y，LUO G，WANG C Y. Modeling two-phase flow in three-dimensional complex flow-fields of proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources，2017，365：419-429.
[10] CHEN H，GUO H，YE F，et al. Modification of the two-fluid model and experimental study of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with baffled flow channels[J]. Energy Conversion and Management，2019，195：972-988.
[11] YOSHIDA T，KOJIMA K. Toyota MIRAI fuel cell vehicle and progress toward a future hydrogen society[J]. The Electochemical Society Interface，2015，24：45-49.
[12] HEIDARY H，KERMANI M J，DABIR B. Influences of bipolar plate channel blockages on PEM fuel cell performances[J]. Energy Conversion and Management，2016，124：51-60.
[13] WEN D H，YIN L Z，PIAO Z Y，et al. A novel intersectant flow field of metal bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. International Journal of Energy Research，2017，41：2184-2193.
[14] ZHU X，SUI P C，DJILALI N. Three-dimensional numerical simulations of water droplet dynamics in a PEMFC gas channel[J]. Journal of Power Sources，2008，181：101-115.
[15] ATYABI S A，AFSHARI E. Three-dimensional multiphase model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with honeycomb flow field at the cathode side[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production，2019，214：738-748.
[16] WANG B W，CHEN W M，PAN F W，et al. A dot matrix and sloping baffle cathode flow field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. Journal of Power Sources，2019，434：226741.
[17] GUO N N，LEU M C，KOYLU U O. Network based optimization model for pin-type flow field of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2013，38：6750-6761.
[18] HE L，HOU M，GAO Y Y，et al. A novel three-dimensional flow field design and experimental research for proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Energy Conversion and Management，2020，205：112335.
[19] PERNG S W，WU H W. A three-dimensional numerical investigation of trapezoid baffles effect on non-isothermal reactant transport and cell net power in a PEMFC[J]. Applied Energy，2015，143：81-95.
[20] YUAN W，TANG Y，YANG X J，et al. Porous metal materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells：A review[J]. Applied Energy，2010，94：309-329.
[21] LI S，SUNDEN B. Three-dimensional modeling and investigation of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells with metal foams as flow distributor[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2017，42：27323-27333.
[22] LIU R L，ZHOU W，LI S L，et al. Performance improvement of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with compressed nickel foam as flow field structure[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2020，45：17833-17843.
[23] HUO S，COOPER N J，SMITH T L，et al. Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell cold start behavior containing porous metal foam as cathode flow distributor[J]. Applied Energy，2017，203：101-114.
[24] TILIAKOSA A，TREFILOV A M，TANASA E，et al. Laser-induced graphene as the microporous layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Applied Surface Science，2020，504：144096.
[25] BAO Z M，NIU Z Q，JIAO K. Numerical simulation for metal foam two-phase flow field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2019，44：6229-6244.
[26] AZARAFZA A，ISMAIL M S，REZAKAZEMI M，et al. Comparative study of conventional and unconventional designs of cathode flow fields in PEM fuel cell[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews，2019，116：109420.
[27] AFSHARI E，HOUREH N B. Performance analysis of a membrane humidifier containing porous metal foam as flow distributor in a PEM fuel cell system[J]. Energy Conversion and Management，2014，88：612-621.
[28] POURRAHMANI H，MOGHIMI M，SIAVASHI M，et al. Sensitivity analysis and performance evaluation of the PEMFC using wave-like porous ribs[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering，2019，150：433-444.
[29] HAN S H，CHOI N H，CHOI Y D. Simulation and experimental analysis on the performance of PEM fuel cell by the wave-like surface design at the cathode channel[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2014，39：2628-2638.
[30] LI W K，ZHANG Q L，WANG C，et al. Experimental and numerical analysis of a three-dimensional flow field for PEMFCs[J]. Applied Energy，2017，195：278-288.
[31] YANG Y T，TSAI K T，CHEN C K. The effects of the PEM fuel cell performance with the waved flow channels[J]. Journal of Applied Mathematics，2013，2013：1-14.
[32] CHEN X，YU Z K，YANG C，et al. Performance investigation on a novel 3D wave flow channel design for PEMFC[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2021，46(19)：11127-11139.
[33] YAN X H，GUAN C，ZHANG Y，et al. Flow field design with 3D geometry for proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering，2019，147：1107-1114.
[34] ANYANWU I S，HOU Y，XI F Q，et al. Comparative analysis of two-phase flow in sinusoidal channel of different geometric configurations with application to PEMFC[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2019，44：13807-13819.
[35] FAN L H，NIU Z Q，ZHANG G B，et al. Optimization design of the cathode flow channel for proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Energy Conversion and Management，2018，171：1813-1821.
[36] HENRIQUES T，CESAR B，BRANCO P. Increasing the efficiency of a portable PEM fuel cell by altering the cathode channel geometry：A numerical and experimental study[J]. Applied Energy，2010，87：1400-1409.
[37] GUVELIOGLU G H，STENGER H G. Flow rate and humidification effects on a PEM fuel cell performance and operation[J]. Journal of Power Sources，2007，163(2)：882-891.
[38] TROGADAS P，CHO J I S，NEVILLE T P，et al. A lung-inspired approach to scalable and robust fuel cell design[J]. Energy &; Environmental Science，2018，11：136-143.
[39] GITTLEMAN C S，KONGKANAND A，MASTEN D，et al. Materials research and development focus areas for low cost automotive proton-exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Current Opinion in Electrochemistry，2019，18：81-89.
[40] SONG Y X，ZHANG C Z，LING C Y，et al. Review on current research of materials，fabrication and application for bipolar plate in proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2020，45(54)：29832-29847.
[41] YIN Y，WANG X F，GUAN X S，et al. Numerical investigation on the characteristics of mass transport and performance of PEMFC with baffle plates installed in the flow channel[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2018，43：8048-8062.
[42] TING F P，HSIEH C W，WENG W H，et al. Effect of operational parameters on the performance of PEMFC assembled with Au-coated Ni-foam[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2012，37：13696-13703.
[43] LI S，SUNDEN B. Three-dimensional modeling and investigation of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells with metal foams as flow distributor[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2017，42：27323-27333.
[44] CHEN H，GUO H，YE F，et al. An experimental study of cell performance and pressure drop of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with baffled flow channels[J]. Journal of Power Sources，2020，472：228456.
[45] TOGHYANI S，NAFCHI F M，AFSHARI E，et al. Thermal and electrochemical performance analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell under assembly pressure on gas diffusion layer[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2018，43：4534-4545.
[46] 余鹏，樊丽君，杨永潮，等. 基于超临界流体发泡技术制备开孔型微孔塑料的研究进展[J]. 高分子材料科学与工程，2020，36(10)：160-169. YU Peng，FAN Lijun，YANG Yongchao，et al. Progress in preparation of open-cell microcellular plastics based on supercritical fluid foaming technology[J]. Polymer Materials Science &; Engineering，2020，36(10)：160-169.
[47] 王小峰，蒋晶，侯建华，等. 化学物理联合微孔发泡成型制备聚己内酯多孔材料[J]. 化工学报，2014，65(6)：2386-2392. WANG Xiaofeng，JIANG Jing，HOU Jianhua，et al. Fabrication of porous structure of poly(ε-caprolactone) via microcellular injection molding combined with chemical foaming[J]. CIESC Journal，2014，65(6)：2386-2392.
[48] SANTOS R V，GALLO M，JAEGER P，et al. New insights in the morphological characterization and modelling of poly(ε-caprolactone) bone scaffolds obtained by supercritical CO₂ foaming[J]. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids，2020，166：105012.
[49] MAHABUNPHACHAI S，CORA O N，KOC M. Effect of manufacturing processes on formability and surface topography of proton exchange membrane fuel cell metallic bipolar plates[J]. Journal of Power Sources，2010，195：5269-5277.
[50] OSIA M B，HOSSEINIPOUR S J，BAKHSHI-JOOYBARI M. Forming metallic micro-feature bipolar plates for fuel cell using combined hydroforming and stamping processes[J]. Iranica Journal of Energy &; Environment，2013，4(2)：87-94.
[51] ZHANG B，LI Y T，BAI Q. Defect formation mechanisms in selective laser melting：A review[J]. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2017，30：515-527.
[52] 刘伟，李能，周标，等. 复杂结构与高性能材料增材制造技术进展[J]. 机械工程学报，2019，55(20)：128-151，159. LIU Wei，LI Neng，ZHOU Biao，et al. Progress in additive manufacturing on complex structures and high-performance materials[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2019，55(20)：128-151，159.
[53] 朱胜. 柔性增材再制造技术[J]. 机械工程学报，2013，49(23)：1-5. ZHU Sheng. Mobile additive remanufacturing[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2013，49(23)：1-5.
[54] 李涤尘，贺健康，田小永，等. 增材制造：实现宏微结构一体化制造[J]. 机械工程学报，2013，49(6)：129-135. LI Dichen，HE Jiankang，TIAN Xiaoyong，et al. Additive manufacturing：Integrated fabrication of macro/ microstructures[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2013，49(6)：129-135.
[55] 彭彬彬，闫献国，杜娟. 基于BP和RBF神经网络的表面质量预测研究[J]. 表面技术，2020，49(10)：324-328，337. PENG Binbin，YAN Xianguo，DU Juan，et al. Surface quality prediction based on BP and RBF neural networks[J]. Surface Technology，2020，49(10)：324-328，337.
[56] KOLIVUAO M，RAJESHKANAN A，JEEVANANTHAM A K. Study on computational and conventional method of determining volume of material removal in CNC milling process[J]. Materials Today：Proceedings，2020，22：1360-1368.
[57] 周伟，刘阳旭，褚旭阳，等. 高孔率泡沫金属的孔结构保形铣削加工研究[J]. 机械工程学报，2020，56(1)：213-222. ZHOU Wei，LIU Yangxu，CHU Xuyang，et al. Investigation of milling process of foam metal with high porosity for pore structure protection[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2020，56(1)：213-222.
[58] PORSTMANN S，WANNEMACHER T，DROSSEL W G. A comprehensive comparison of state-of-the-art manufacturing methods for fuel cell bipolar plates including anticipated future industry trends[J]. Journal of Manufacturing Processes，2020，60：366-383.
[59] PENG L F，YI P Y，LAI X M. Design and manufacturing of stainless steel bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy，2014，39(36)：21127-21153.
[60] 安华，王喆，王国锋，等. 复合材料钻削表面粗糙度在线监测与加工参数自适应优化[J]. 机械工程学报，2020，56(2)：27-34，42. AN Hua，WANG Zhe，WANG Guofeng，et al. Research on on-line monitoring of surface roughness in composite drilling and adaptive optimization of parameters[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering，2020，56(2)： 27-34，42.