Title: Modelling of concentration and current distributions in a PEMFC single cell

Authors: Wael Alimi, Ridha Chouikh, Amenallah Guizani

Addresses: Centre de Recherche et technologies de l'energie, Laboratoire d'energetique et des procedes thermiques, BP 95, Hammam LIF, 2050, Tunisia. ' Centre de Recherche et technologies de l'energie, Laboratoire d'energetique et des procedes thermiques, BP 95, Hammam LIF, 2050, Tunisia. ' Centre de Recherche et technologies de l'energie, Laboratoire d'energetique et des procedes thermiques, BP 95, Hammam LIF, 2050, Tunisia

Abstract: In order to deepen the understanding of the main phenomena governing PEM fuel cell performance, we present a steady state, two dimensional model which accounts simultaneously for species transport, electrochemical kinetics, and current distribution as well as flow dynamics. The problem is stated in a Cartesian coordinates system, involves the use of a control-volume method and solves a single set of governing equations valid for flow channels, gas-diffusion electrodes, catalyst layers and membrane region. The results are compared to the available data and the agreement is satisfactory. The effects of parameters such as humidity, porosity, pressure and electrode thickness on the cell performance were also investigated.

Keywords: PEM fuel cells; membrane; Butler-Volmer equations; porous media; modelling; fuel cell performance; species transport; electrochemical kinetics; current distribution; flow dynamics; humidity; pressure; electrode thickness; flow channels; gas-diffusion electrodes; catalyst layers; CFD; computational fluid dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2008.019964

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2008 Vol.8 No.6, pp.362 - 371

Published online: 18 Aug 2008 *

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