Towards More Efficient PEM Fuel Cells Through Advanced Thermal Management: From Mechanisms to Applications

Proton membrane exchange fuel cells (PEMFCs) is an important energy solution to decarbonizing transport sectors and electric systems due to zero carbon emission during the operating process, and how to enhance the system efficiency of PEMFC is one of the most challengeable issues to hinder the large-scale commercial application of PEMFC. In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted to explore the feasibility and techno-economic performance of advanced thermal management to promote the efficiency of PEMFC systems. The thermal management of PEMFC can be implemented from two aspects: one is efficient cooling methods to maintain the PEMFC under proper working temperature range, and the other one is waste heat recovery from PEMFC and improve the overall system efficiency. Concentrated on these topics many achievements have been gained by academic and industrial communities, and it is imperative to analyze and conclude these experienced studies from mechanism, technology and application aspects. Therefore, this review summarized the great advances of thermal management of PEMFC from efficient cooling and waste heat recovery for the sake of improving the overall efficiency of PEMFC systems, providing guidelines for the future design and optimization of PEMFC systems.