Parametric study on geometric and material properties of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with free vibration analysis
Click the link to visit : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.01.297
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
● To understand the mechanical aspect and the dynamic behaviour in stack assembly of fuel cell configuration. To designing such configuration to tune the system accordingly to avoid catastrophic failure because of resonance.
● To perform the dynamic analysis of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) to understand its response during complex loading nature.
● To model and analyse the stack assembly of Bi-Polar plate, Gas diffusion electrolyte (GDE) and membrane using Mindlin plate element with Finite element method.
● To conduct the parametric study on thickness, density and young’s modulus and to analyse its influence on dominant modes of natural frequencies with 5% to 20% range of variations. Keywords: PEMFC, Natural Frequency, Fuel cell membrane
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP/LAYOUT/BOUNDARY CONDITIONS:
Geometry description:
The PEMFC is modelled as a plate element to simplify complex three dimensional simulation. The Bipolar plate, gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) and membrane are stacked as shown. The top view of the geometry is also shown.
The Finite element formulation has been employed with Mindlin plate theory to analyse the PEMFC. The membrane, GDE and Bi-polar plates are considered as laminated plates and the interface between them are assumed as bonded connections. The free vibration analysis is carried out with the boundary conditions as all the edges are clamped. The domain is discretized with quad element with required number of elements. Using Mindlin plate theory and Wachspress interpolation function stiffness and mass matrix are computed and this system of equations is solved by equation of motion for free vibration analysis. Finally the respective eigenvalues and its mode shapes are calculated. Then a parametric study on the physical parameters such as thickness and mechanical properties like Young’s modulus and density of the material is conducted to arrive at the vibrational characteristics of the fuel cell. The properties are varied between a range of 5% to 20% and the change in frequency was analysed. The Eigne frequency analysis was performed in COMSOL Multiphysics software.
The results of the parametric study,
The frequency vs parameter plot for each parameter is shown.
The first six mode shape for Clamped condition of PEMFC obtained is presented
Results:
The simulation results are summarised as:
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The dominant frequency is significantly affected by Bi-polar plates geometric and Mechanical properties.
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The change in density value evidently shows the decrease in first mode frequency
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The increase in thickness and Young’s modulus value drastically shifts the dominant model frequency range to higher level.
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The range of frequency for the first mode is nearly 2260Hz and in most of the practical applications the maximum range of frequency is around 25Hz such as transportation and stationary applications. The dominant modes are out of ranges in all the cases.
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It is preferred and is simpler to change the geometric properties of the components without changing the material altogether or its characteristics wherever feasible.
The contribution planned by the individual team members
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The initial research was conducted by both members individually and they were discussed together and proceeded.
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For the parametric study three parameters were varied individually and the respective effects on the mode shape has to be simulated.
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Venkadesh.R:
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The design of the layered PEMFC to the specified geometric descriptions
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The Eigen Frequency analysis and simulation was performed on the design.
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Changes in parameters and design.
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Shivaram.AVR:
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Data acquisition and organisation for parametric study.
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Post simulation analysis and data tabulation.
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Graph generation and report presentation and tabulation of the results obtained.
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Our sincere thanks to the guide Mr.S.Venkatesan(M.E/Phd)
Thank you so much for your support sir.
Project Guide : Mr. S. Vengatesan (M.E/ Phd)