Effect of Anode Channel on the Performance of Piezoelectric Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells（PZT-PEMFCs）

For recent years, the problem of global warming have become more and more serious. Moreover, the petroleum price has soared, reaching USD 140 per barrel. The energy depletion is approaching. People have been devoted to explore cleaner and economically efficient alternative energy resource. Meanwhile, the fuel cells which takes hydrogen as main fuel resource has been brought onto stage for the given advantage it bears including zero pollution, high energy efficiency, zero noise and vibration, and renewable. Fuel cell obviously will be one of the best green power options. Previous studies indicated piezoelectric device with proton exchange membrane fuel cells, PZT-PEMFCs, the actuating micro-diaphragm with piezoelectric effects as one of the flow channels, could be successfully operated. In this study, we discuss the performance of PZT-PEMFCs with different operating conditions, which includes anode channel design of PZT-PEMFCs, the thickness of membrane, frequency of piezoelectric device, and Nozzle and Diffuser design in cathode chamber. Rib design in cathode chamber is the most obvious factor on the performance of PZT-PEMFCs. The optimal condition in simulation is Nozzle and Diffuser design in cathode chamber, inlet gas at anode side and cell temperatures 323K, and inlet gas temperature at cathode side is 298K.The average current density when vibration frequency of piezoelectric device 64Hz in simulation is 0.376 A/cm2. The optimal condition in experiment is Nozzle and Diffuser design in cathode chamber, inlet gas and cell temperatures is 298K. The power when vibration frequency of piezoelectric device 180Hz in experiment is 0.49Watt.