Effects of Geometrical Parameters on Improving the Transversal Mass Transport in PEM Fuel Cells

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanxia Zhao ◽  
Renwei Mei ◽  
James F. Klausner
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Transversal Flow

A computational model using Lattice Boltzmann Equation (LBE) method is employed to investigate the fluid transport on the anode side of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with an emphasis on mass transfer enhancement. A 3-dimensional LBE code is developed to solve the flows in the channel and the porous media in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) simultaneously. Multiple flow enhancers (obstructions in the flow channel) are placed in the channel to enhance the transversal flow across the GDL. The mass flow rate, the velocity field and the pressure distribution are analyzed. The effects of flow enhancers are assessed. The results show that the transversal flow across the GDL is enhanced by placing flow enhancers in the channel. Increasing flow enhancer size can significantly increase the transversal flow rate, with high pressure-loss through the flow channel. The results also demonstrate that the location of flow enhancers in the flow channel have a remarkable impact on the transversal flow rate. The transversal flow rate increases as the GDL porosity increases.

Modeling and Simulations of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells With Poroelastic Approach for Coupled Liquid Water Transport and Deformation in the Membrane

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serhat Yesilyurt
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Diffusion Layers

Performance degradation and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells depend strongly on transport and deformation characteristics of their components especially the polymer membrane. Physical properties of membranes, such as ionic conductivity and Young’s modulus, depend on the water content that varies significantly with operating conditions and during transients. Recent studies indicate that cyclic transients may induce hygrothermal fatigue that leads to the ultimate failure of the membrane shortening its lifetime and, thus, hindering the reliable use of PEM fuel cells for automotive applications. In this work, we present two-dimensional simulations and analysis of coupled deformation and transport in PEM fuel cells to improve the understanding of membrane deformation under steady-state and transient conditions. A two-dimensional cross section of anode and cathode gas diffusion layers, and the membrane sandwiched between them is modeled using Maxwell–Stefan equations for species transport in gas diffusion layers, Biot’s poroelasticity, Darcy’s law for deformation and water transport in the membrane, and Ohm’s law for ionic currents in the membrane and electric currents in the gas diffusion layers. Steady-state deformation and transport of water in the membrane, transient responses to step changes in load, and relative humidity of the anode and cathode are obtained from simulation experiments, which are conducted by means of a commercial finite-element package, COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS.

scholarly journals Correlating high temperature thin film ionomer electrode binder properties to hydrogen pump polarization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gokul Venugopalan ◽  
Deepra Bhattacharya ◽  
Subarna Kole ◽  
Cameron Ysidron ◽  
Polyxeni P. Angelopoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Profound Impact ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Electrode Binder ◽  
Hydrogen Pump

Ionomer electrode binders are important materials for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers and have a profound impact on cell performance. Herein, we report the effect of two...

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document