Optimisation of air cooled, open-cathode fuel cells: Current of lowest resistance and electro-thermal performance mapping

Quentin Meyer; Krisztian Ronaszegi; Gan Pei-June; Oliver Curnick; Sean Ashton; Tobias Reisch; Paul Adcock; Paul R. Shearing; Daniel J.L. Brett

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.04.101

Optimisation of air cooled, open-cathode fuel cells: Current of lowest resistance and electro-thermal performance mapping

Quentin Meyer
, Krisztian Ronaszegi
, Gan Pei-June
, Oliver Curnick
, Sean Ashton
, Tobias Reisch
, Paul Adcock
, Paul R. Shearing
, Daniel J.L. Brett

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

65 Citations (Scopus)

124 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Selecting the ideal operating point for a fuel cell depends on the application and consequent trade-off between efficiency, power density and various operating considerations. A systematic methodology for determining the optimal operating point for fuel cells is lacking; there is also the need for a single-value metric to describe and compare fuel cell performance. This work shows how the 'current of lowest resistance' can be accurately measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and used as a useful metric of fuel cell performance. This, along with other measures, is then used to generate an 'electro-thermal performance map' of fuel cell operation. A commercial air-cooled open-cathode fuel cell is used to demonstrate how the approach can be used; in this case leading to the identification of the optimum operating temperature of ∼45 °C.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	261-269
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Power Sources
Volume	291
Early online date	19 May 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.04.101
Publication status	Published - 22 May 2015
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the EPSRC for supporting Brett and his research group through ( EP/G030995/1 ), ( EP/I037024/1 ) and ( EP/J001007/1 ). We acknowledge the support of Intelligent Energy and UCL for supporting the studentship of Meyer and the RAEng for supporting Shearing. Finally we acknowledge Dr. Simon Barrass for technical input in the development of the EIS system.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Air-cooled open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cell
Current of lowest resistance
Electro-thermal performance mapping
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Forced convection
Optimum operating temperature

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.04.101Licence: CC BY

PublishedFinal published version, 1.62 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Optimisation of air cooled, open-cathode fuel cells: Current of lowest resistance and electro-thermal performance mapping",

abstract = "Selecting the ideal operating point for a fuel cell depends on the application and consequent trade-off between efficiency, power density and various operating considerations. A systematic methodology for determining the optimal operating point for fuel cells is lacking; there is also the need for a single-value metric to describe and compare fuel cell performance. This work shows how the 'current of lowest resistance' can be accurately measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and used as a useful metric of fuel cell performance. This, along with other measures, is then used to generate an 'electro-thermal performance map' of fuel cell operation. A commercial air-cooled open-cathode fuel cell is used to demonstrate how the approach can be used; in this case leading to the identification of the optimum operating temperature of ∼45 °C.",

keywords = "Air-cooled open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cell, Current of lowest resistance, Electro-thermal performance mapping, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Forced convection, Optimum operating temperature",

author = "Quentin Meyer and Krisztian Ronaszegi and Gan Pei-June and Oliver Curnick and Sean Ashton and Tobias Reisch and Paul Adcock and Shearing, \{Paul R.\} and Brett, \{Daniel J.L.\}",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)",

year = "2015",

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doi = "10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.04.101",

language = "English",

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AU - Meyer, Quentin

AU - Ronaszegi, Krisztian

AU - Pei-June, Gan

AU - Curnick, Oliver

AU - Ashton, Sean

AU - Reisch, Tobias

AU - Adcock, Paul

AU - Shearing, Paul R.

AU - Brett, Daniel J.L.

PY - 2015/5/22

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N2 - Selecting the ideal operating point for a fuel cell depends on the application and consequent trade-off between efficiency, power density and various operating considerations. A systematic methodology for determining the optimal operating point for fuel cells is lacking; there is also the need for a single-value metric to describe and compare fuel cell performance. This work shows how the 'current of lowest resistance' can be accurately measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and used as a useful metric of fuel cell performance. This, along with other measures, is then used to generate an 'electro-thermal performance map' of fuel cell operation. A commercial air-cooled open-cathode fuel cell is used to demonstrate how the approach can be used; in this case leading to the identification of the optimum operating temperature of ∼45 °C.

AB - Selecting the ideal operating point for a fuel cell depends on the application and consequent trade-off between efficiency, power density and various operating considerations. A systematic methodology for determining the optimal operating point for fuel cells is lacking; there is also the need for a single-value metric to describe and compare fuel cell performance. This work shows how the 'current of lowest resistance' can be accurately measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and used as a useful metric of fuel cell performance. This, along with other measures, is then used to generate an 'electro-thermal performance map' of fuel cell operation. A commercial air-cooled open-cathode fuel cell is used to demonstrate how the approach can be used; in this case leading to the identification of the optimum operating temperature of ∼45 °C.

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KW - Electro-thermal performance mapping

KW - Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

KW - Forced convection

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ER -

Optimisation of air cooled, open-cathode fuel cells: Current of lowest resistance and electro-thermal performance mapping

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Oliver Curnick

Cite this

Optimisation of air cooled, open-cathode fuel cells: Current of lowest resistance and electro-thermal performance mapping

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Profiles

Oliver Curnick

Cite this