Impact of operation condition on temperature distribution in single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell operated at higher temperature than usual

For improving performance of the stationary Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) system, the cell operating temperature up to 90°C will be preferred in Japan during the period from 2020 to 2030. To understand the operation of the PEFC system under relatively high temperature conditions, detail heat and mass transfer analysis is required. The main focus of this study is to analyze the PEFC performance under operational conditions, such as initial operational temperature of cell (Tini), relative humidity of supply gas, and the cathode gas type, temperature distribution in a cell of PEFC (using Nafion membrane) under relatively higher operating temperature conditions. The in-plane temperature …