Contact pressure distribution between bipolar plate (BPP) and gas diffusion layer (GDL) has significant impact on performance and life time of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Most current studies for contact pressure prediction are based on finite-element analysis (FEA), requiring huge computation for the whole fuel cell assembly. Comparatively speaking, the more generalized and well-developed analytical methods are deficient in this field. The objective of this study is to propose a full-scale continuous equivalent model to predict GDL contact pressure effectively in the PEM fuel cell. Using the model, the nonuniform pressure distribution resulted from dimensional errors of metallic BPP and GDL could be obtained. First, a parameterized theoretical model of BPP/GDL assembly is established based on equivalent stiffness analysis of components, and definition methods of dimensional errors are proposed according to actual measurements and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Then, experiments are carried out to obtain the actual GDL contact pressure and the model results show good agreement with experimental results. At last, effects of dimensional errors are investigated. Acceptable assembly pressure for a given fuel cell is suggested based on the model. This model is helpful to understand the effect of the dimensional errors, and it also could be adopted to guide the manufacturing of BPP, GDL, and the assembling of PEM fuel cell.
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Research-Article
An Analytical Model for Contact Pressure Prediction Considering Dimensional Error of Stamped Bipolar Plate and Gas Diffusion Layer in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Assembly
Linfa Peng,
Linfa Peng
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Diankai Qiu,
Diankai Qiu
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: qdk2009@sjtu.edu.cn
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: qdk2009@sjtu.edu.cn
Search for other works by this author on:
Peiyun Yi,
Peiyun Yi
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Xinmin Lai
Xinmin Lai
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China;
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China;
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacture
for Thin-Walled Structures,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: xmlai@sjtu.edu.cn
for Thin-Walled Structures,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: xmlai@sjtu.edu.cn
Search for other works by this author on:
Linfa Peng
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
Diankai Qiu
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: qdk2009@sjtu.edu.cn
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: qdk2009@sjtu.edu.cn
Peiyun Yi
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
Xinmin Lai
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China;
System and Vibration,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China;
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacture
for Thin-Walled Structures,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: xmlai@sjtu.edu.cn
for Thin-Walled Structures,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200240, China
e-mail: xmlai@sjtu.edu.cn
1Corresponding author.
Manuscript received February 21, 2016; final manuscript received October 27, 2016; published online November 22, 2016. Assoc. Editor: Umberto Desideri.
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor. May 2016, 13(2): 021007 (10 pages)
Published Online: November 22, 2016
Article history
Received:
February 21, 2016
Revised:
October 27, 2016
Citation
Peng, L., Qiu, D., Yi, P., and Lai, X. (November 22, 2016). "An Analytical Model for Contact Pressure Prediction Considering Dimensional Error of Stamped Bipolar Plate and Gas Diffusion Layer in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Assembly." ASME. J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor. May 2016; 13(2): 021007. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035099
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