Optimized contact pressure ensures a maximal electrical performance and minimized degradation of a PEM fuel cell stack. A rough empirical determination of the clamping pressure could only be performed resulting in time consuming experiments using real stacks. A guideline to determine the optimal pressures as a function of the applied materials was developed within the IGF-project 434ZN in collaboration between ZBT and ITA (Aachen). For exact predictions only properties of the used materials are required. These properties are commonly given in the corresponding data sheets or may be determined by experiments which are relative easy to perform.
This project is based on numerical models of the stack to be optimized. These models enable the simulation of the performance of the specific stack as a function of varying operating parameters, particularly as a function of varying contact pressures. Precise predictions about the flow of the gases and the electrochemical processes could be made based on these models. The verification of these models is obtained by the fuel cell stack measurements.
Numerical models are to be built for the regarding fuel cell stack and computed under varying clamping pressure according to the simulation guideline. These simulations can be performed in a very short time interval. The optimal contact pressure is determined by the analysis of the simulation results for different contact pressures.
The numerical models can be adapted to all kinds of PEM fuel cell stacks. This makes the guideline an universal tool for the prediction of the optimal contact pressures. For further information please contact us.
