Effects of Roughness of Gas Diffusion Layer Surface on Liquid Water Transport in Micro Gas Channels of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Chen ◽  
HuiBao Luan ◽  
Ya-Ling He ◽  
Wen-Quan Tao
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Layer Surface ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Liquid Water Transport

The Effect of Inhomogeneous Compression on Water Transport in the Cathode of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders C. Olesen ◽  
Torsten Berning ◽  
Søren K. Kær
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Liquid Water Transport

A three-dimensional, multicomponent, two-fluid model developed in the commercial CFD package CFX 13 (ANSYS Inc.) is used to investigate the effect of porous media compression on water transport in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The PEMFC model only consist of the cathode channel, gas diffusion layer, microporous layer, and catalyst layer, excluding the membrane and anode. In the porous media liquid water transport is described by the capillary pressure gradient, momentum loss via the Darcy-Forchheimer equation, and mass transfer between phases by a nonequilibrium phase change model. Furthermore, the presence of irreducible liquid water is taken into account. In order to account for compression, porous media morphology variations are specified based on the gas diffusion layer (GDL) through-plane strain and intrusion which are stated as a function of compression. These morphology variations affect gas and liquid water transport, and hence liquid water distribution and the risk of blocking active sites. Hence, water transport is studied under GDL compression in order to investigate the qualitative effects. Two simulation cases are compared; one with and one without compression.

A Low Order Control-Oriented Model of Liquid Water Transport in PEM Fuel Cell

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Esposito ◽  
Cesare Pianese ◽  
Yann G. Guezennec
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Liquid Water Transport

In this work, an accurate and computationally fast model for liquid water transport within a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrode is developed by lumping the space-dependence of the relevant variables. Capillarity is considered as the main transport mechanism within the gas diffusion layer (GDL). The novelty of the model lies in the simulation of the water transport at the interface between gas diffusion layer and gas flow channel (GFC). This is achieved with a phenomenological description of the process that allows its simulation with relative simplicity. Moreover, a detailed two-dimensional visualization of such interface is achieved via geometric simulation of water droplets formation, growth, coalescence and detachment on the surface of the GDL. The accomplishment of reduced computational time and good accuracy makes the model suitable for control strategy implementation to ensure PEM fuel cells operation within optimal electrode water content. Furthermore, the model is useful for optimization analysis oriented to both PEMFC design and balance of plant.

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