ANN ARBOR, MI
Dr. Utsav Raj Aryal, a researcher at Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA), has published a groundbreaking study in Energy Conversion and Management that sheds light on optimizing high-temperature ion-pair proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This research utilized COMSOL Multiphysics to conduct a steady-state, isothermal simulation of a 3D PEMFC model, focusing on a novel quaternary ammonium biphosphate ion-pair membrane.
The study explored key performance aspects such as polarization curves, molar gas concentrations, and overpotential breakdown to identify mechanisms responsible for energy loss. Validation of the model was conducted using experimental data from both non-protonated and protonated ion-pair fuel cells. To enhance accuracy, an agglomerate sub-model was employed in the cathode catalyst layer, which significantly improved the understanding of catalyst loading effects.
A major highlight of the research was the proposal of a graded catalyst layer design. The innovative configuration, with higher catalyst loading near the membrane, demonstrated a 5.5% performance improvement compared to uniformly loaded layers. The study also examined operating conditions, such as temperature and back pressure, to provide deeper insights into fuel cell optimization.
For detailed information, please refer to the published paper in Energy Conversion and Management