Administrator by China Associction for Science and Technology
Sponsored by China Society of Automotive Engineers
Published by AUTO FAN Magazine Co. Ltd.

Automotive Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (11): 2126-2140.doi: 10.19562/j.chinasae.qcgc.2025.11.007

Previous Articles    

Study on the Uniformity of Physical Field Distribution and Operation State of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Under Multiple Operating Conditions

Pengyu Qiao1,Siyuan Wu1,2(),Zhiming Bao1,2,Daokuan Jiao3,Xueliang Liu1,Kaige Zhu1,Haoran Du1,Weirui Luo1,Qing Du1,2,Kui Jiao1,2   

  1. 1.Tianjin University,State Key Laboratory of Engines,Tianjin 300354
    2.Tianjin University,National Industry-Education Platform for Energy Storage,Tianjin 300354
    3.CATARC New Energy Vehicle Research and Inspection Center (Tianjin) Co. ,Ltd. ,Tianjin 300300
  • Received:2025-04-15 Revised:2025-05-22 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-28
  • Contact: Siyuan Wu E-mail:wusiyuan_2303@tju.edu.cn

Abstract:

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face challenges of non-uniform physical field distribution under complex operating conditions, which can result in local “water flooding,” “hot spots,” and “gas starvation” during long - term operation, severely undermining system performance and durability. To deeply reveal the evolution characteristics of the internal physical field under multiple operating conditions and its compact on the battery operation status, in this study a full - scale three - dimensional multi - physics field coupling simulation model is constructed to systematically examine the influence of three key parameters of inlet air stoichiometric ratio, operating temperature, and inlet air humidity on liquid water content, oxygen concentration, current density, and temperature distribution within PEMFCs. Furthermore, an operational state index Hi is proposed to quantitatively evaluate PEMFC operating health by integrating physical field distribution characteristics. The results show that all three parameters significantly impact the distribution uniformity and overall levels of physical fields. High - temperature, high - humidity, and extreme stoichiometric ratio conditions are more likely to disrupt local distribution uniformity, triggering non - healthy states. This research provides crucial theoretical and simulation - based support for PEMFC operation optimization and life management.

Key words: proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), distribution uniformity, unhealthy operating state, durability