Abstract
A two-dimensional, two-phase and multi-component flow and transport model has been developed to simulate the flow and transport phenomena in the cathodes of PEM fuel cells. First, the governing equations based on a "two-phase mixture model" are derived by sing a unified approach that describes the flow and transport in the gas channel and gas diffuser simultaneously. Then, the detailed boundary conditions are discussed especially at the gas difiuser/catalyst layer interface, which couples the flow, transport, potential and current density in the anode, the catalyst layer and membrane. Next, the model is validated by comparing the modeling results with experimental data. Further, typical distributions of oxygen and water-mass fraction in the "two-phase mixture," as well as water vapor mass fraction, liquid saturation and liquid velocity vector are presented. Finally, the model is used to study the influences of two of the most critical issues of PEM fuel cell operation: i.e., the water and the thermal management on the two-phase flow. It was found that the two-phase flow characteristics in the cathode depend on some of the following factors: current density, operating temperature, and cathode and anode humidification temperatures. The dependence of the formation and the distribution of the two-phase flow in the gas diffuser and gas channel on these factors is explored. By studying the effects of these parameters on the two-phase flow and the fuel cell performance, the model can be used to study a water and thermal management scheme.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Heat Transfer Division, (Publication) HTD |
| Editors | Y. Jaluria, C. Presser, F.M. Gerner, C.Y. Wang, S. Kearny, W. Grosshandler, A.K. Gupta |
| Pages | 325-334 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Volume | 369 |
| Edition | 4 |
| State | Published - 2001 |
| Event | 2001 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition - New York, NY, United States Duration: Nov 11 2001 → Nov 16 2001 |
Other
| Other | 2001 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | New York, NY |
| Period | 11/11/01 → 11/16/01 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Mechanical Engineering
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
Cite this
A two-phase and multi-component model for the cathode of PEM fuel cells. / You, Lixin; Liu, Hongtan.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Heat Transfer Division, (Publication) HTD. ed. / Y. Jaluria; C. Presser; F.M. Gerner; C.Y. Wang; S. Kearny; W. Grosshandler; A.K. Gupta. Vol. 369 4. ed. 2001. p. 325-334.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - A two-phase and multi-component model for the cathode of PEM fuel cells
AU - You, Lixin
AU - Liu, Hongtan
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - A two-dimensional, two-phase and multi-component flow and transport model has been developed to simulate the flow and transport phenomena in the cathodes of PEM fuel cells. First, the governing equations based on a "two-phase mixture model" are derived by sing a unified approach that describes the flow and transport in the gas channel and gas diffuser simultaneously. Then, the detailed boundary conditions are discussed especially at the gas difiuser/catalyst layer interface, which couples the flow, transport, potential and current density in the anode, the catalyst layer and membrane. Next, the model is validated by comparing the modeling results with experimental data. Further, typical distributions of oxygen and water-mass fraction in the "two-phase mixture," as well as water vapor mass fraction, liquid saturation and liquid velocity vector are presented. Finally, the model is used to study the influences of two of the most critical issues of PEM fuel cell operation: i.e., the water and the thermal management on the two-phase flow. It was found that the two-phase flow characteristics in the cathode depend on some of the following factors: current density, operating temperature, and cathode and anode humidification temperatures. The dependence of the formation and the distribution of the two-phase flow in the gas diffuser and gas channel on these factors is explored. By studying the effects of these parameters on the two-phase flow and the fuel cell performance, the model can be used to study a water and thermal management scheme.
AB - A two-dimensional, two-phase and multi-component flow and transport model has been developed to simulate the flow and transport phenomena in the cathodes of PEM fuel cells. First, the governing equations based on a "two-phase mixture model" are derived by sing a unified approach that describes the flow and transport in the gas channel and gas diffuser simultaneously. Then, the detailed boundary conditions are discussed especially at the gas difiuser/catalyst layer interface, which couples the flow, transport, potential and current density in the anode, the catalyst layer and membrane. Next, the model is validated by comparing the modeling results with experimental data. Further, typical distributions of oxygen and water-mass fraction in the "two-phase mixture," as well as water vapor mass fraction, liquid saturation and liquid velocity vector are presented. Finally, the model is used to study the influences of two of the most critical issues of PEM fuel cell operation: i.e., the water and the thermal management on the two-phase flow. It was found that the two-phase flow characteristics in the cathode depend on some of the following factors: current density, operating temperature, and cathode and anode humidification temperatures. The dependence of the formation and the distribution of the two-phase flow in the gas diffuser and gas channel on these factors is explored. By studying the effects of these parameters on the two-phase flow and the fuel cell performance, the model can be used to study a water and thermal management scheme.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0347515018&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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M3 - Conference contribution
VL - 369
SP - 325
EP - 334
BT - American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Heat Transfer Division, (Publication) HTD
A2 - Jaluria, Y.
A2 - Presser, C.
A2 - Gerner, F.M.
A2 - Wang, C.Y.
A2 - Kearny, S.
A2 - Grosshandler, W.
A2 - Gupta, A.K.
ER -