A Three-Dimensional Two-Phase Model for Simulating PEM Fuel Cell Performance

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken S. Chen ◽  
Brian Carnes ◽  
Liang Hao ◽  
Gang Luo ◽  
Chao-Yang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Present Sample ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

For the last couple of years, we have been working on developing and validating a three-dimensional, two-phase, comprehensive PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell model, and our efforts were funded by the US Department of Energy. In this paper, we provide an up-to-date progress report on our team efforts. Specifically, we present comparisons of simulation results (liquid-water saturation distribution) computed by our improved partially two-phase and fully two-phase models. We also present sample model-validation results by comparing model prediction with experimental data.

Toward the Development and Validation of a Comprehensive PEM Fuel Cell Model

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken S. Chen ◽  
Brian Carnes ◽  
Liang Hao ◽  
Yan Ji ◽  
Gang Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
The Us ◽  
Layer Effect ◽  
Development And Validation

In this paper, we report our ongoing team efforts (which are being funded by the US Department of Energy) toward the development and validation of a three-dimensional, two-phase, comprehensive PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell model. Specifically, we report our progress in following areas: i) a channel two-phase flow submodel to account for the presence of liquid water in flow channels and its effect; ii) an approximate but robust approach for taking MPL (microporous layer) effect into account; iii) an investigation into the effect of cell segmenting; and iv) an ongoing effort in model validation.

Toward Developing a Computational Capability for PEM Fuel Cell Design and Optimization

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken S. Chen ◽  
Brian Carnes ◽  
Fangming Jiang ◽  
Gang Luo ◽  
Chao-Yang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Cell Design ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Computational Capability

In this paper, we report the progress made in our project recently funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE) toward developing a computational capability, which includes a two-phase, three-dimensional PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell model and its coupling with DAKOTA (a design and optimization toolkit developed and being enhanced by Sandia National Laboratories). We first present a brief literature survey in which the prominent/notable PEM fuel cell models developed by various researchers or groups are reviewed. Next, we describe the two-phase, three-dimensional PEM fuel cell model being developed, tested, and later validated by experimental data. Results from case studies are presented to illustrate the utility of our comprehensive, integrated cell model. The coupling between the PEM fuel cell model and DAKOTA is briefly discussed. Our efforts in this DOE-funded project are focused on developing a validated computational capability that can be employed for PEM fuel cell design and optimization.

scholarly journals Nonisothermal two‐phase modeling of the effect of linear nonuniform catalyst layer on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 3575-3587
Author(s):  
Seyedali Sabzpoushan ◽  
Hassan Jafari Mosleh ◽  
Soheil Kavian ◽  
Mohsen Saffari Pour ◽  
Omid Mohammadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Stability Issues of Fuel Cell Models in the Activation and Concentration Regimes

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. B. Beale ◽  
U. Reimer ◽  
D. Froning ◽  
H. Jasak ◽  
M. Andersson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
High Current Density ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
High Current ◽  
Cell Models ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Code stability is a matter of concern for three-dimensional (3D) fuel cell models operating both at high current density and at high cell voltage. An idealized mathematical model of a fuel cell should converge for all potentiostatic or galvanostatic boundary conditions ranging from open circuit to closed circuit. Many fail to do so, due to (i) fuel or oxygen starvation causing divergence as local partial pressures and mass fractions of fuel or oxidant fall to near zero and (ii) nonlinearities in the Nernst and Butler–Volmer equations near open-circuit conditions. This paper describes in detail, specific numerical methods used to improve the stability of a previously existing fuel cell performance calculation procedure, at both low and high current densities. Four specific techniques are identified. A straight channel operating as a (i) solid oxide and (ii) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is used to illustrate the efficacy of the modifications.

Effects of Microhydrophobic Porous Layer on Water Distribution in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzad Ahmadi ◽  
Ramin Roshandel
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) at high current densities is limited to transport reactants and products. Furthermore, large amounts of water are generated and may be condensed due to the low temperature of the PEMFC. Development of a two-phase flow model is necessary in order to predict water flooding and its effects on the PEMFC performance. In this paper, a multiphase mixture model (M2) is used, accurately, to model two-phase transport in porous media of a PEMFC. The cathode side, which includes channel, gas diffusion layer (GDL), microporous layer (MPL), and catalyst layer (CL), is considered as the computational domain. A multidomain approach has been used and transport equations are solved in each domain independently with appropriate boundary conditions between GDL and MPL. Distributions of species concentration, temperature, and velocity field are obtained, and the effects of MPL on species distribution and fuel cell performance are investigated. MPL causes a saturation jump and a discontinuity in oxygen concentration at the GDL/MPL interface. The effect of MPL thickness on fuel cell performance is also studied. The results revealed that the MPL can highly increase the maximum power of a PEMFC.

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