Modelling the Effect of Liquid Water Transport on PEM Fuel Cell Performance

Water management is essential for PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell performance. Nafion® based membranes in fuel cells operating up to 90°C demand high hydration levels to exhibit good proton conductivity. However, too much of water present in fuel cell electrodes and GDLs (Gas Diffusion Layer) may lead to pore-blockage preventing efficient gas and water transport to and from reaction sites. Experimentally, water transport is difficult to quantify. In-situ visualization techniques usually do not distinguish regions of water production, condensation, and blockage during fuel cell operation. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modelling however can overcome this drawback because at the same time water and gas transport, electrochemical reactions and electric conduction can be simulated. In this paper a water transport model for PEM fuel cells is described and the effect of water transport for different flow field designs and different operation conditions (e.g. inlet gas humidity) on fuel cell performance are studied.

VEYRET Damien; 

WILKENING Heinz; 

2011-07-15

Ulf Bossel, European Fuel Cell Forum

JRC48983

http://www.efcf.com/_pdf/2009_program.pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC48983,