Experimental and theoretical investigations of transport processes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

聚合物电解质燃料电池传输过程的实验和理论研究

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-04108
• 负责人: Secanell, Marc
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=684708
• 关键词: Experimental; theoretical; investigations; transport; processes

Canada's current fossil fuelled transportation sector consumes nearly 30% of our primary energy. Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) and batteries present viable alternatives to replace the current transportation energy system. Hydrogen, produced by water splitting in a polymer electrolyte electrolyzer (PEE) using electricity from renewable energy sources, could be used in PEFCs to power a vehicle. PEFCs produce only water vapor thereby eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. PEFC vehicles have demonstrated all the attributes that customers expect such as quick start-up and refuelling, long range, and durability. Prerequisites for an increase in market penetration of PEE, and PEFC vehicles, are production cost reductions as well as performance and durability improvements.***In order to reduce the cost of PEFCs and PEEs to commercialization targets, i.e., $30/kW and $300/kW respectively (2020 U.S. Department of Energy targets), it is necessary to improve mass transport in the electrode in order to enable higher power density operation and the use of less precious catalysts. Due to the complex materials and physical phenomena, numerical modelling is required for PEFC and PEE analysis and design.***Remarkable progress has been achieved in macroscale numerical modelling of fuel cells and electrolyzers. These models however cannot account for how microscopic features in the porous composite materials in PEFCs and PEEs affect mass transport properties and reactions. Nanometer scale imaging combined with statistical analysis, reconstruction, and simulation should be used to account for these effects. At high current density, liquid water accumulation in the electrode also reduces transport to the reaction site, thereby limiting the fuel cell maximum power. Water accumulation can be minimized by designing better transport layers using micro-fabrication techniques such as inkjet printing. The issues above, degradation, and material research are critical to PEFCs and PEEs.***The proposed Discovery grant program aims at developing: a) micro-scale statistical analysis, reconstruction, and numerical models, and ex-situ experimental tools to study the effect of electrode micro-structures on transport properties and water accumulation; and, b) novel fuel cell architectures that aim at minimizing water accumulation. The focus will be in PEFCs, however, due to the closeness of physical processes, the numerical and experimental tools are also applicable to PEEs.***The new numerical models and architectures aim at designing electrodes with increased catalyst utilization and maximum power density which can lead to cheaper and better performing PEFCs. This research will contribute to the Canadian economy by developing fundamental understanding, novel tools, and training HQP to maintain Canada's leadership in fuel cells. My software is already in use at Canadian industries.**

加拿大目前的化石燃料运输部门消耗了近 30% 的一次能源。聚合物电解质燃料电池（PEFC）和电池是替代当前运输能源系统的可行替代方案。氢气是利用可再生能源的电力在聚合物电解质电解槽 (PEE) 中分解水产生的，可用于 PEFC 中为车辆提供动力。 PEFC 仅产生水蒸气，从而消除污染和温室气体排放。 PEFC 车辆展现了客户期望的所有属性，例如快速启动和加油、远距离行驶和耐用性。提高 PEE 和 PEFC 车辆市场渗透率的先决条件是降低生产成本以及提高性能和耐用性。***为了将 PEFC 和 PEE 的成本降低到商业化目标，即 30 美元/千瓦和 300 美元/kW（2020 年美国能源部目标），有必要改善电极中的传质，以实现更高的功率密度操作和使用不太贵重的催化剂。由于材料和物理现象的复杂性，PEFC和PEE分析和设计需要数值模拟。***燃料电池和电解槽的宏观数值模拟取得了显着进展。然而，这些模型无法解释 PEFC 和 PEE 中多孔复合材料的微观特征如何影响传质特性和反应。应使用纳米级成像与统计分析、重建和模拟相结合来解释这些影响。在高电流密度下，电极中液态水的积累也会减少向反应部位的传输，从而限制燃料电池的最大功率。通过使用喷墨印刷等微制造技术设计更好的传输层，可以最大限度地减少水的积累。上述问题、降解和材料研究对于 PEFC 和 PEE 至关重要。***拟议的发现资助计划旨在开发：a) 微观统计分析、重建和数值模型，以及用于研究的异位实验工具电极微结构对传输特性和水积累的影响； b) 旨在最大限度地减少水积累的新型燃料电池架构。重点将放在 PEFC 上，但是，由于物理过程的接近性，数值和实验工具也适用于 PEE。***新的数值模型和架构旨在设计具有更高催化剂利用率和最大功率密度的电极，可以带来更便宜、性能更好的 PEFC。这项研究将通过发展基础知识、新颖工具和培训 HQP 来维持加拿大在燃料电池领域的领先地位，从而为加拿大经济做出贡献。我的软件已在加拿大各行业使用。**