Study on the effect of gas supply methods on the performance of PEMFC with dead-ended anode

In the operation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with dead-ended anode (DEA), water and nitrogen from the cathode side permeate and gradually accumulate on the anode side, impairing hydrogen fuel mass transfer and distribution. This accumulation leads to progressive performance degradation. To optimize the performance of PEMFC with dead-ended anode (DEA-PEMFC), this study investigates the impact of gas supply methods on the operating performance of DEA-PEMFC through theoretical analysis and experimental methods, including the use of a visualized fuel cell and partition measurement. The results indicate that reverse flow delivery of reactant gases eliminates water accumulation in the anode flow channels, significantly extending the duration of steady-state operation. However, reverse flow does not improve the uniformity of local current density distribution. Moreover, irrespective of whether cocurrent flow or reverse flow is used, reducing the humidification duration of the cathode reactant gas markedly increases the steady-state operation time of DEA-PEMFC. These findings offer crucial guidance for optimizing gas supply methods and enhancing the performance of DEA-PEMFC.