InterPore2023

Entropy generation analysis in a quasi-3D PEM fuel cell model with architectured electrocatalyst layer

25 May 2023, 15:30

1h 30m

Poster Presentation (MS23) Special Session in honor of Signe Kjelstrup Poster

Speaker

Mr Mehrzad Alizadeh (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

Description

As the world grapples with global warming and other environmental problems caused by the extensive use of fossil fuels, a rapid shift to renewable resources is essential. The intermittent nature of solar and wind energies, the two main renewable energy sources, is a bottleneck to the widespread use of these sustainable energies. Deployment of electrochemical energy devices might be a remedy for this issue. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is an efficient technology that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction. PEMFCs application includes but not limited to power generation systems, transportation, and heavy-duty applications [1]. Topology optimization (TO) has attracted much attention to improve the performance of various electrochemical systems [2, 3]. Compared to other mathematical optimization techniques, such as size and shape methods, TO is a more robust and stronger algorithm. The superiority of TO stems from the fact that it provides more freedom in achieving innovative design solutions. Recently, some researchers have focused on utilization of TO to improve the performance of electrochemical devices by controlling the microstructure of their porous electrodes [4]. However, far too little attention has been paid to the fundamental explanations of how improved performance is achieved through engineered electrode structure. This study attempts to provide a fundamental explanation by examining the changes in entropy production during the optimization process.

To accomplish the aims of this study, the performance of a PEMFC is first simulated based on a quasi-3D mathematical model. Next, a TO algorithm is recruited to find the optimal structure of the electrocatalyst layer with the purpose of increasing the output power density. An entropy generation model is developed to quantify the entropy generation rate during the optimization process. The entropy generation rate of the initial uniform design and the final architectured structure are compared to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms that lead to a better design.

Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows number 22J20603, JSPS KAKENHI Grant number 21H04540, and Research Strengthening Project of the Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi.

References

[1] Capurso T., et al. Energy Convers. Manag., 251 (2022): 114898.
[2] Yaji K., et al. Struct. Multidiscip. Optim., 57.2 (2018): 535.
[3] Charoen-amornkitt P., et al. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 202 (2023): 123725.
[4] Roy T, et al., Struct. Multidiscip. Optim., 65.6 (2022): 1.