Modelling of gas transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract

A three-dimensional numerical model has been developed to simulate a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The governing equations were discretised and solved using a finite-volume technique and the numerical results were verified by empirical test results. In the numerical procedure, the species, temperature and protonic conductivity distribution in various voltages were modelled with great accuracy. The results have shown that by lowering the cell voltage, the maximum temperature at the cathode catalyst–membrane interface will increase. The effects of semi-circular and semi-elliptical gas channel cross-sections on cell performance were studied and compared with base model results. This showed that the elliptical model generates more current density at the same voltage. On the other hand, oxygen distribution is more uniform in geometries in which the value of cathode overpotential has a direct link with oxygen magnitude. Cathode overpotential is also sensitive to shoulder width and oxygen distribution; so the elliptical model presents better performance than the other models. Ultimately, all the numerical and experimental results are compared with published experimental data by Wang et al., which demonstrate desirable agreement.

Reduced graphene oxide–coated anode gas diffusion layer for performance enhancement of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell

“…The cathode GDL is usually coated with a hydrophobic material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), in order to remove water from the fuel cell . Hydrophobicity is widely accepted as the key to water management in PEMFCs, and numerous relevant investigations have been carried out on the hydrophobicity of microporous layers (MPLs) …”

“…3,4 Hydrophobicity is widely accepted as the key to water management in PEMFCs, and numerous relevant investigations have been carried out on the hydrophobicity of microporous layers (MPLs). [5][6][7] MEA typically uses solid polymer electrolyte membranes and has high proton conductivity in conditions of high humidity and low temperatures (T < 80°C) during the operation of the PEMFC. 8,9 At high temperature, humidity in the membrane decreases, resulting in loss of conductivity.…”

The Study of Cylindrical Polymer Fuel Cell's Performance and the Investigation of Gradual Geometry Changes' Effect on Its Performance

“…Ahmadi et al [24] taking perturbation method presented an analytical model for cylindrical polymer fuel cell. Having solved the equations of continuity and momentum, they found out the velocity distribution in gas channel [25]. Concurrently they studied and modeled transmission of species in polymer fuel cell.…”

Modeling of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with circular and elliptical cross-section gas channels: A novel procedure

“…Among the various types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is of great importance due to its high power density. In this system, the electrochemical energy is converted to the electrical energy . A typical PEMFC comprises 3 main parts: the anode, the membrane, and the cathode.…”