Session: 17-08-01: Posters Related to Energy

Paper Number: 99309

99309 - Optimal Design and Fabrication Process of Membrane Electrode Assembly (Mea) for Proton Exchange Fuel Cell (Pemfc) Performance Using Experimental Method 

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) promote an efficient method in providing energy in a self-sustainable manner. The core of which drives the Fuel Cell is the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), and in order for optimal performance to be achieved, it is desirable for the outcome of the MEA to have adequate gas and water diffusion, proton and electron transport. The fabrication process as well as the selection of materials of the MEA plays a crucial role in the overall performance of the Fuel Cell. In order to optimize the performance of the MEA, controlled parameters revolving around the manufacturing process will be constructed. The scope of the research is allocated amongst the four controlled design parameters which include the Pt/C wt %, the total MEA area, the pressing pressure, as well as the pressing duration cycles. To aid in the advancement in commercialization of fuel cells, platinum is a leading area of research revolving around lowering the cost all while maintaining overall performance. The overall area size of the MEA can increase the cost due to the requirement of more materials, and the needed power in the pressing process when adding pressure as well as cycles. The goal is to optimize the MEA fabrication process to achieve high performance within the realms of remaining financially aware of the materials being used and the methodology of application. To better investigate the influence of the parameters set, multiple prototypes are developed. Each of the individual prototypes are fabricated under the same constant conditions excluding the controlled parameters identified. The platinum to carbon ratio can be adjusted in each of the prototypes and applied via direct catalyst coated membrane (CCM) method. The overall sizing area of the MEA varies in small increments in each prototype by cutting different sizes using an exacto knife. Each prototype has a different pressure applied to it in the fabrication process. Pressing cycle iterations are performed in the pressing fabrication process, with the time under compression being constant and adjusting the amount of presses throughout. Performance analysis as well as sensitivity analysis are performed during this research. Fuel cell performance curves are made for each prototype operating under different conditions as deemed by the design parameters set, in order to identify the optimal fabrication process. It is concluded that through the process of adjustment of  the parameters set in this research the optimization in the performance of the fuel cell can be met.

Presenting Author: Ramon Garcia Tarleton State University

Presenting Author Biography: Ramon Garcia is an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has had exposure to being a member in the ASME Student Chapter of Tarleton State University. Ramon Garcia received his Associate of Science with a Major in Mechanical Engineering at the Junior College McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. He transferred to Tarleton State University where he will complete his Bachelors in 2023 in where he currently holds an institutional GPA of 3.49. While attending his current institution he has developed skills for FEA using SOLIDWORKS. He also has had exposure to CFD using Ansys software as well as having prior experience with Excel and programming using MATLAB from attending his Junior College. Ramon Garcia hopes to pursue the field of Energy as well as in the field of Aeronautics in the future.

Authors:

Ramon Garcia Tarleton State University
Hoe-Gil Lee Tarleton State University