Mathematical Model for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Vladimir Gurau, Sadik Kaka, Hongtan Liu

Research output: Contribution to book or proceedingConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

A two dimensional, non-isothermal mathematical model for the entire sandwich of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell including the gas channels is developed To take into consideration the real concentration distributions along the interface between the gas diffuser and catalyst layer, transport equations are solved simultaneously for the domain consisting of the coupled gas channel, gas diffuser, catalyst layer and membrane. The selfconsistent schematical model for porous media is used for the equations describing transport phenomena in the membrane, catalyst layers and gas diffusers, while standard Navier-Stokes, energy transport, continuity and species concentration equations are solved in the gas channels. A special handling of the transport equations enabled us to use the same numerical method to solve them, and therefore to treat the gas channel-gas diffuser-catalyst layer domains as an entirety, avoidmg arbitrary boundary conditions at their interfaces. The oxygen mole fraction distribution in the coupled cathode gas channel-gas diffuser is studied for different values of the operating current density. Influences of the inlet conditions at the gas channel entries and of the gas diffuser porosity on the cell performance are also analyzed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Advanced Energy System Divison
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages205-214
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780791815991
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1998
EventASME 1998 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 1998 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: Nov 15 1998Nov 20 1998

Publication series

NameASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)
Volume1998-C

Conference

ConferenceASME 1998 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 1998
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period11/15/9811/20/98

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Mechanical Engineering

Disciplines

  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing

Keywords

  • Fuel cell
  • Mathematical model
  • Membrane
  • Proton exchange
  • Proton exchange membrane

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