A combined capillary cooling system for fuel cells

Control of the operation temperature has an important influence over the performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). In this study a two-phase heat transfer system is proposed as an alternative for the cooling and thermal control of a PEMFC. The proposed system consists of a Capillary Pumped Loop (CPL) connected to a set of constant conductance heat pipes. Ceramic and stainless steel mesh wicks were used as the capillary structures of the CPL and heat pipes, respectively. Experimental results are reported herein for the separate components, i.e. three ¼-inch diameter stainless steel heat pipes, one CPL and for the assembled cooling system. Different tests were performed for power inputs up to 50 W. Acetone was used as the working fluid for the CPL and deionized water for the heat pipes. All tests were considered successful, with the proposed system providing the required heat dissipation and maintaining the required temperature operation range for PEM fuel cells.