Simulation of different channel depths in the cathode of the PEM fuel cell

In order to understand the transfer and distribution of water in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, we optimized a two-dimensional, two-hase and multi-omponent model and modeled the flow and transport in the combined gas channel and porous gas diffuser in the PEM fuel cell. The gravity effects on liquid water in channels were considered as well. The simulation results showed that different channel depths (0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm) can affect distribution of water at anode-upward. Changes was analyzed in water mass fraction. In the channel, the change in water mass fraction along the channel is more than that along the depth of fuel cell, while the case is opposite in the catalyst layer, and the changes in water mass fraction occur along both two directions in the gas diffuse layer. Water mass fraction in cathode of fuel cell decreases with the increase of the channel depth: the deeper is the channel depth, the easier is the discharge of water.