Master Thesis

The bipolar plate is one of the core components in PEM fuel cells. In addition to distributing the reaction gases as homogeneously as possible, the main functions of the bipolar plate include the removal of the resulting process heat and the electrical contacting of the individual cells. Accordingly, the constructive design is decisive for the overall performance of the fuel cell. Depending on the design, different pressure, temperature and humidity gradients occur during stationary and dynamic operation. Now a test cell is to be developed that can represent the conditions in automotive fuel cell stacks.

Task:

Within the scope of this master thesis, a thermal management concept for a test cell is to be developed, with which any temperature gradients can be set in fuel cell operation.  Furthermore, the described gradients are to be analysed and the connection between design, flow control and temperature distribution is to be established. First of all, it must be clarified which gradients occur for the reference model in steady-state and dynamic operation. Based on flow simulations of the bipolar plate, design measures for the individual areas of the bipolar plate are to be derived in order to be able to specifically set the desired gradients.