Temperature distribution in a liquid-cooled HT-PEFC stack

摘要

A liquid (heat transfer oil) cooling system for high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (HT-PEFC) stacks in the power range above 1 kW_(el) using encapsulated cooling cells was designed. Calculations showed that it is sufficient to cool every third cell to maintain an operating temperature of about 160 ℃. An HT-PEFC stack module including 12 cells with an active area of 320 cm~2 each was assembled and tested experimentally regarding the temperature distribution from cell to cell. It was found that sufficient cooling with an oil inlet temperature of 160 ℃ is guaranteed up to a current density of 450 mA/cm~2 when operated with synthetic reformate (42% H_2, 57% N_2, 1% CO). At this current density, the maximum temperature difference from cell to cell does not exceed 8.3 K. Additionally, this cooling system provided enhanced protection against leaks.