Investigating PEMFC Performance with Dead-Ended Anode and Pressure Swing Technique under Dynamic Loading

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Published: Sep 16, 2025
Keywords:
PEMFC Dead-ended anode Pressure swing technique Dynamic voltage Periodic pulsation

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D. P. Doan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Tecnhnology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand
V. Lilavivat
National Energy Technology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
T. Sasabe
School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan
C. T. Vo
Faculty of Automotive Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 727900, Vietnam
T. D. Pham
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Tecnhnology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand
K. H. Nguyen
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Tecnhnology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand
C. Charoenphonphanich
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Tecnhnology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand

Abstract

The anode water management is a significant factor to mitigate local flooding and enhance performance at Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). The Dead-end anode (DEA) configuration operates dry hydrogen and utilizes a solenoid valve to seal the anode outlet. The Pressure Swing Technique (PST), based on the DEA configuration, generates periodic flow by adding more hydrogen via a solenoid valve between the inlet and outlet lines, rather than solely using a solenoid valve at the anode outlet. The hysteresis phenomenon, observed through dynamic voltage transients during forward and backward current sweeps, is applied in this study to investigate performance through voltage difference, voltage change, voltage decay rate, and voltage stability index under DEA and PST configurations in a single cell. The results indicated that PST improved stability by redistributing water within the anode channel but exhibited lower power density, specifically 5.46% less at a high current density of 400 mA cm–2 due to insufficient membrane hydration. Additionally, longer purging intervals decreased cell output voltage while gradually enhancing stability for both configurations. Furthermore, slower switching period rates in PST leaded to instability.

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How to Cite
Phuoc Doan, D., Lilavivat, V., Sasabe, T. ., Vo, C. T., Dinh, T. P., Nguyen, K. H., & Charoenphonphanich, C. (2025). Investigating PEMFC Performance with Dead-Ended Anode and Pressure Swing Technique under Dynamic Loading. Journal of Research and Applications in Mechanical Engineering, 13(3), JRAME–25. retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jrame/article/view/258151
Issue
Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025)
Section
RESEARCH ARTICLES
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Author Biography

V. Lilavivat, National Energy Technology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

 

 

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