Experimental Study on the Electrochemical Performance of PEMFC under Different Assembly Forces

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC)is of paramount significance to the development of clean energy.The components of PEMFC are assembled using many pairs of nuts and bolts.The assembly champing bolt torque is critical to the electrochemical performance and mechanical stability of PEMFC.In this paper,a PEMFC with the threechannel serpentine flow field was used and studied.The different assembly clamping bolt torques were applied to the PEMFC in three uniform assembly bolt torque and six non-uniform assembly bolt torque conditions,respectively.And then,the electrochemical performance experiments were performed to study the effect of the assembly bolt torque on the electrochemical performance.The test results show that the assembly bolt torque significantly affected the electrochemical performance of the PEMFC.In uniform assembly bolt torque conditions,the maximal power density increased initially as the assembly bolt torque increased,and then decreased on further increasing the assembly torque.It existed the optimum assembly torque which was found to be 3.0 N·m in this work.In non-uniform assembly clamping bolt torque conditions,the optimum electrochemical performance appeared in the condition where the assembly torque of each bolt was closer to be 3.0 N·m.This could be due to the change of the contact resistance between the gas diffusion layer and bipolar plate and mass transport resistance for the hydrogen and oxygen towards the catalyst layers.This work could optimize the assembly force conditions and provide useful information for the practical PEMFC stack assembly.

Progress and perspective of single-atom catalysts for membrane electrode assembly of fuel cells

A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that can continuously input fuel and oxidant into the device through an electrochemical reaction to release electrical energy.Although noble metals show good activity in fuel cell-related electrochemical reactions,their ever-increasing price considerably hinders their industrial application.Improvement of atom utilization efficiency is considered one of the most effective strategies to improve the mass activity of catalysts,and this allows for the use of fewer catalysts,saving greatly on the cost.Thus,single-atom catalysts(SACs)with an atom utilization efficiency of 100%have been widely developed,which show remarkable performance in fuel cells.In this review,we will describe recent progress on the development of SACs for membrane electrode assembly of fuel cell applications.First,we will introduce several effective routes for the synthesis of SACs.The reaction mechanism of the involved reactions will also be introduced as it is highly determinant of the final activity.Then,we will systematically summarize the application of Pt group metal(PGM)and nonprecious group metal(non-PGM)catalysts in membrane electrode assembly of fuel cells.This review will offer numerous experiences for developing potential industrialized fuel cell catalysts in the future.

Probing the Efficiency of PPMG-Based Composite Electrolytes for Applications of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

PPMG-based composite electrolytes were fabricated via the solution method using the polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone blend reinforced with various contents of sulfonated inorganic filler.Sulfuric acid was employed as the sulfonating agent to functionalize the external surface of the inorganic filler,i.e.,graphene oxide.The proton conductivities of the newly prepared proton exchange membranes(PEMs)were increased by increasing the temperature and content of sulfonated graphene oxide(SGO),i.e.,ranging from 0.025 S/cm to 0.060 S/cm.The induction of the optimum level of SGO is determined to be an excellent route to enhance ionic conductivity.The single-cell performance test was conducted by sandwiching the newly prepared PEMs between an anode(0.2 mg/cm^(2) Pt/Ru)and a cathode(0.2 mg/cm^(2) Pt)to prepare membrane electrode assemblies,followed by hot pressing under a pressure of approximately 100 kg/cm^(2) at 60℃for 5–10 min.The highest power densities achieved with PPMG PEMs were 14.9 and 35.60 mW/cm^(2) at 25℃and 70℃,respectively,at ambient pressure with 100%relative humidity.Results showed that the newly prepared PEMs exhibit good electrochemical performance.The results indicated that the prepared composite membrane with 6 wt%filler can be used as an alternative membrane for applications of high-performance proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Thermal Hydraulic Analysis Improvement for the IEA-R1 Research Reactor and Fuel Assembly Design Modification

This paper presents the sequence of activities to improve the thermal hydraulic analysis of the IEA-R1 research reactor to operate in safe conditions after power upgrade from 2 to 5 MW and core size reduction from 30 to 24 fuel assemblies. A realistic analysis needs the knowledge of the actual operation conditions (heat flow, flow rates) beyond the geometric data and the uncertainties associated with manufacturing and measures. A dummy fuel assembly was designed and constructed to measure the actual flow rate through the core fuel assemblies and its pressure drop. First results showed that the flow distribution over the core is nearly uniform. Nevertheless, the values are below than the calculated ones and the core bypass flow rate is greater than those estimated previously. Based on this, several activities were performed to identify and reduce the bypass flow, such as reduction of the flow rate through the sample irradiators, closing some unnecessary secondary holes on the matrix plate, improvement in the primary flow rate system and better fit of the core components on the matrix plate. A sub-aquatic visual system was used as an important tool to detect some bypass flow path. After these modifications, the fuel assemblies flow rate increased about 13%. Additional tests using the dummy fuel assembly were carried out to measure the internal flow distribution among the rectangular channels. The results showed that the flow rate through the outer channels is 10% - 15% lower than the internal ones. The flow rate in the channel formed between two adjacent fuel assemblies is an estimated parameter and it is difficult to measure because this is an open channel. A new thermal hydraulic analysis of the outermost plates of the fuel assemblies takes into account all this information. Then, a fuel design modification was proposed with the reduction of 50% in the uranium quantity in the outermost fuel plates. In order to avoid the oxidation of the outermost plates by high temperature, low flow rate, a reduction of 50% in the uranium density in the same ones was shown to be adequate to solve the problem.

Analysis of fixation method of fuel assembly for lead-alloy cooled reactor

As a potential candidate for generation IV reactors, lead-alloy cooled reactor has attracted much attentions in recent years. The China LEAd-based research Reactor(CLEAR) is proposed as the primary choice for the accelerator driven subcritical system project launched by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Lead-bismuth eutectic(LBE) is selected as the coolant of CLEAR owing to its efficient heat conductivity properties and high production rate of neutrons. In order to compensate the buoyancy due to the high density of lead-alloy, fixation methods of fuel assembly(FA) have become a research hotspot worldwide. In this paper, we report an integrated system of ballast and fuel element for CLEAR FA. It guarantees the correct positioning of each FA in normal and refueling operations. Force calculation and temperature analysis prove that the FA will be stable and safe under CLEAR operation conditions.

Transient self-assembly driven by chemical fuels

Self-assembly has been extensively studied in chemistry,physics,biology,and materials engineering and has become an important“bottom-up”approach in creating intriguing structures for different applications.Using dissipative self-assembly to construct fuel-dependent,energy-consuming,and dynamic nonequilibrium systems is important for developing intelligent life-like materials.Furthermore,dissipative self-assembly has become a research hotspot in materials chemistry,biomedical science,environmental chemistry,and physical chemistry.An in-depth understanding of the process and mechanism provides useful insights to the researchers for devel-oping materials using dissipative self-assembly and also helps guide future innovation in material fabrication.This critical review comprehensively analyzes various chemical fuel input and energy consumption mechanisms,supported by numerous illustrative examples.Versatile transient assemblies,including gels,vesicles,micelles,and nanoparticle aggregates,have been systematically studied in our and other laboratories.The relationship between the molecular structure of precursors and temporal assemblies in dissipative self-assemblies is discussed from the perspective of physical chemistry.Using dissipative self-assembly methods to construct functional assemblies provides important implications for constructing high-energy,nonequilibrium,and intelligent functional materials.

PtNi-W/C with Atomically Dispersed Tungsten Sites Toward Boosted ORR in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Devices

The performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is heavily dependent on the microstructure of electrode catalyst especially at low catalyst loadings.This work shows a hybrid electrocatalyst consisting of PtNi-W alloy nanocrystals loaded on carbon surface with atomically dispersed W sites by a two-step straightforward method.Single-atomic W can be found on the carbon surface,which can form protonic acid sites and establish an extended proton transport network at the catalyst surface.When implemented in membrane electrode assembly as cathode at ultra-low loading of 0.05 mgPt cm^(−2),the peak power density of the cell is enhanced by 64.4%compared to that with the commercial Pt/C catalyst.The theoretical calculation suggests that the single-atomic W possesses a favorable energetics toward the formation of*OOH whereby the intermediates can be efficiently converted and further reduced to water,revealing a interfacial cascade catalysis facilitated by the single-atomic W.This work highlights a novel functional hybrid electrocatalyst design from the atomic level that enables to solve the bottle-neck issues at device level.

Performance Investigation of Membrane Electrode Assemblies for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Different types of ABPBI (poly(2,5-benzimidazole)) membranes and polymer binders were evaluated to investigate the performance of MEAs for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC). The properties of the prepared MEAs were evaluated and analyzed by polarization curve, electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and durability test. The results showed that MEA with modified ABPBI membrane (AM) has satisfactory performance and durability for fuel cell application. Compare to conventional PBI or Nafion binders, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) are more attractive as binders in the catalyst layer (CL) of gas diffusion electrode (GDE) for HT-PEMFC.

标准核燃料组件几何轮廓校准装置的研制

针对标准核燃料组件竖直状态下几何参数溯源需求,研制了一种标准核燃料组件几何轮廓校准装置。该装置以空间坐标测量为理念,利用多路接触式传感器作为轮廓测量采集单元,结合测量工作台高度位置获得轮廓坐标。通过直线度及扭转度测量与误差补偿,进一步提高了几何轮廓测量精度;并使用集成运动控制和专用测量软件,实现了标准核燃料组件几何轮廓参数(直线度、扭转度、垂直度、平行度)的自动检测。通过分析及实验验证,几何轮廓参数中直线度和平行度测量标准不确定度为0.01 mm,扭转度测量标准不确定度为0.007 mm,垂直度测量标准不确定度为0.017 mm,说明该装置能够满足标准核燃料组件的溯源需求。

加长加宽的PEMFC电堆应力分布一致性仿真与优化

质子交换膜燃料电池可以通过扩大电堆的活性区域反应面积来获得更高的功率,但电堆反应面积扩大后,容易导致膜电极应力分布的不均匀性增加,从而引起燃料电池电化学性能的下降.为此,本研究设计了4种不同结构尺寸的燃料电池电堆,结合等效刚度模型法和有限元软件,分析了扩大反应面积的电堆结构对膜电极应力分布均匀性的影响,并进一步优化电堆内钢带的安装位置,以提升电堆内部接触压力分布均匀性.研究结果表明,膜电极接触压力分布的均匀性对反应区域宽度的变化较为敏感,当活性区域尺寸加宽,电堆内部活性区域的平均应力标准差增加了23.2%.而当活性区域加长,或同时加长和加宽时,相应增加一根捆扎钢带使电堆内部活性区域的平均应力标准差分别减小了8.6%和8.7%,表明适当增加捆扎钢带的数量可以提高电堆内部接触压力分布的均匀性.此外,钢带位置优化结果显示,电堆外侧钢带越靠近端板侧面时,电堆内部活性区域的应力分布越均匀.

交混因子对CHF关系式开发及安全裕量影响研究

采用最小偏离泡核沸腾比(MDNBR)点法开发了与子通道分析程序FLICA-ⅢF匹配的临界热流密度(CHF)关系式,利用Owen准则确定了其DNBR限值并进行统计评估。在掌握了一套完整的CHF关系式开发方法后,对比分析了不同交混因子其对应关系式的预测效果、DNBR限值以及实际最大功率。结果表明:基于实验获得的精确交混因子开发的CHF关系式具有更高的精确度与经济性。因此考虑格架交混效应的精细化子通道的工作是有价值和意义的。

MC法校正高能X射线核燃料组件无损检测系统散射

高能X射线无损检测技术能在不破坏检测物体的前提下获取其内部结构信息。核燃料组件的多棒束特性导致产生的散射射线严重影响检测图像质量。为了校正散射射线的干扰,本研究分析了多种解决散射射线干扰的方法在核燃料组件无损检测中的局限性,使用Geant4仿真模拟核燃料组件无损检测过程,构建ComptonFlag类标记发生康普顿散射的散射射线并去除其干扰。模拟结果表明,在去除散射射线干扰后,投影图像中的缺陷与完整燃料棒的对比度信噪比提高了69.02%,能有效提升核燃料组件无损检测图像质量。

燃料组件堵流工况下铅铋-氩气两相流的传热压降特性分析

带绕丝燃料组件的堵流事故是铅冷快堆安全分析的重要工况之一。由于在铅铋自由液面处的气体夹带或在气体增强自然循环条件下存在铅铋-氩气的两相流情况,可能引起燃料组件堵流工况下的局部热工水力特性变化。本文通过计算流体力学软件Fluent,对带绕丝19棒束燃料组件进行建模,模拟分析了堵流工况下的铅铋-氩气两相流传热压降特性,并对两相流模型进行了对比验证,对入口雷诺数、堵块孔隙率、氩气气泡直径等因素进行参数敏感性分析。结果表明:在堵流条件下氩气气泡的流动行为包括逃逸、耗散和受限,在气相体积分率较高的区域会产生局部微正压及过热现象。研究结果可为铅冷快堆堵流事故的安全分析提供参考。

乳液自组装法制备Al/B/PTFE含能微球及其性能表征

为了探究高活性金属含能微球的制备工艺以及燃烧性能,以Viton为黏结剂,聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)、硼粉(B)和铝粉(Al)为高能组分,采用乳液自组装技术制备了Al/B/PTFE含能微球,并对溶剂的挥发温度、乳化剂的种类、水相和油相的体积比和搅拌速度等工艺进行了优化;采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对Al/B/PTFE含能微球形貌进行了表征;采用TG-DSC法分析了Al/B/PTFE含能微球的热分解性能;通过高速摄影和密闭爆发器表征了Al/B/PTFE含能微球的燃烧反应性能。结果表面,水浴温度为25℃、乳化剂为PVA、水油比为80∶30和搅拌速度为700 r/min是Al/B/PTFE含能微球的最佳制备工艺;所制备的Al/B/PTFE含能微球的粒径均匀、球形度高且粒径可控,主要粒径分布范围在约300~900μm;微球的流散性、反应热、燃烧火焰面积和压力输出性能随着粒径的增加,出现先增加后减弱的现象;Al/B/PTFE含能微球的最大反应热,最大火焰面积和最高峰值压力为1097.97 J/g,186.06 cm^(2)和213.3 kPa,分别是物理混合样品的1.77倍、5.16倍和1.37倍。

基于线激光三维视觉的燃料组件水下在位变形测量方法

为了解决燃料组件弯曲与扭曲变形水下在位测量难题,提出了基于线激光三维视觉的燃料组件水下在位变形测量方法。通过基于单层折射的水下相机标定、基于平面约束的光平面标定算法研究解决单个测量单元的标定问题;研究基于三维标定工装的10组测量单元在位快速标定方法,解决测量系统全局坐标统一问题,并利用激光跟踪仪测量标定工装的弯扭精度,进行测量精度对比试验验证。研究表明,研制的基于线激光三维视觉的燃料组件水下在位变形测量系统扭曲测量误差限为0.15°,弯曲测量误差限为0.3 mm,且整个测量时间约在1 s,测量效率和测量误差限优于现有的测量系统。

“双碳”背景下化学专门化实验设计——以锌-空燃料电池的组装及性能评价为例

为促进科教融合,针对能源研究热点,设计了以协同创新为特征,兼具安全性和可操作性的化学专门化实验。引导学生从文献调研和实验设计出发,了解锌-空电池研究进展,掌握其工作原理、组装技术及性能评估方法。通过模拟科研过程的系统训练,激发学生在科学领域锐意进取、探索求真的原动力,逐步培养科学素养、提升实践能力。

车用质子交换膜燃料电池低铂化展望及应用

质子交换膜燃料电池作为氢能产业应用的核心产品,具有能量转换效率高、零排放、无污染等特点,是车用领域的重要动力来源之一。然而,高昂的成本限制了车用质子交换膜燃料电池的大规模应用及推广。低铂化膜电极技术的开发是提高其价格竞争力的重要手段,但低铂化过程中面临的严重传质和寿命问题急需解决。总结了低铂化膜电极技术的研究进展及现有技术的不足,并展望了未来的发展趋势,可为车用质子交换膜燃料电池的低铂化膜电极技术开发提供参考。

复杂燃料组件的CFD优化设计研究

对螺旋十字型燃料棒的复杂燃料组件开展全组件CFD模拟分析,保留燃料组件内复杂结构和微间隙特征,基于全域高精度网格划分结果,使用Realizable k-ε湍流模型开展数值模拟计算。基于CFD数值仿真数据,以组件结构参数为变量建立多参数优化方法,采用均匀设计方案、二阶响应面模型与遗传算法开展燃料组件系统的水力优化研究。优化结果指出分流量圆盘的中心部分直径D较小,导向头的长度H较大时优化效果更好;形成的6通流孔的优化方案组件压降减小8.61%,4通流孔的优化方案组件压降减小22.23%,并且4个通流孔的优化方案的速度均匀性更好。

质子交换膜燃料电池阴极催化剂研究进展

针对目前质子交换膜燃料电池(proton exchange membrane fuel cells,PEMFC)商业化应用受限于价格高昂的贵金属碳载铂(Pt/C)催化剂成本以及缓慢的阴极氧还原反应(oxygen reduction reactions,ORR)动力学特性等问题,综述了氢燃料电池阴极催化剂的最新研究进展。从开发高活性、高稳定性且低成本的催化剂是PEMFC的研究重点;在保证稳定性的基础上,开发具有抗腐蚀、高催化性能和高电导率的新型载体来代替碳载体是未来的发展方向;以有序膜电极为代表的新型催化剂层结构是未来的商用目标等方面进行了分析。对提升氢燃料电池阴极催化剂层的活性和稳定性的途径进行了总结和展望。