A Two‐Phase Non‐Isothermal PEFC Model: Theory and Validation

Abstract

A two‐dimensional, non‐isothermal, two‐phase model of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is presented. The model is developed for conditions where variations in the streamwise direction are negligible. In addition, experiments were conducted with a segmented cell comprised of net flow fields. The, experimentally obtained, current distributions were used to validate the PEFC model developed. The PEFC model includes species transport and the phase change of water, coupled with conservation of momentum and mass, in the porous backing of the cathode, and conservation of charge and heat throughout the fuel cell. The current density in the active layer at the cathode is modelled with an agglomerate model, and the contact resistance for heat transfer over the material boundaries is taken into account. Good agreement was obtained between the modelled and experimental polarization curves. A temperature difference of 6 °C between the bipolar plate and active layer on the cathode, and a liquid saturation of 6% at the active layer in the cathode were observed at 1 A cm–2.

Computational Study of Thermal, Water and Gas Management in PEM Fuel Cell Stacks

“…The computed limiting current density for each case is found to be similar to that found in published experimental investigation: liquid cooling up to 15000 A m⁻² (Noponen et al, 2004), air-cooling up to 8000 A m⁻² (Shimpalee et al, 2009), edge-cooling up to 8500 A m⁻² (Fluckiger et al, 2007), and forced and natural convection with open-cathode up to 3500 A m⁻² (Wu et al, 2009) and 1500 A m⁻² (Urbani et al, 2007), respectively. Conversely, when the complexity, cost, size, weight, and parasitic load are of interest, the order is reversed; for example, stack with liquid cooling requires a coolant loop, a radiator, a pump, more space and weight as well as additional costs to build the supporting equipment.…”

“…As seen in Fig. 2, the iR-corrected and full polarization curves are in good agreement with experimental data measured by Noponen et al, 2004. Furthermore, the predicted local current density distribution along top of the anode terminal is also compared with its experimental counterpart.…”

“…Furthermore, the predicted local current density distributions are also in good agreement at lower current densities and start to deviate at the close to the inlet and outlet region at higher current densities. The deviation can most likely be attributed to the placement of the inlet/outlet holes in the experimental setup (see Noponen et al 2004 for details), which would require a three-dimensional computational domain to resolve properly. This implies that the model correctly account for the fundamental physics associated with PEM fuel cell.…”

A High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Model for Reformate Gas

“…It was found [8,9] that under the assumption of no liquid water formation, the model consistently overpredicted measured polarization behaviour.…”

Thermal Conductivity and Contact Resistance of Compressed Gas Diffusion Layer of PEM Fuel Cell

“…Therefore, extensive modeling studies have been devoted to obtaining an accurate picture of the combined thermal and water transport phenomena, see e.g. [15][16][17]. Furthermore, accurate prediction of the temperature distribution is of vital importance for achieving better and stable performance of the fuel cell.…”