In the paper, a one-dimensional model of water transport across the entire cell is presented for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In the model, the catalyst layer is treated as a separate computing domain, not an interface between the gas diffusion layer and membrane. Meanwhile, in the membrane mechanisms of back diffusion and electro-osmotic drag are considered, while pure diffusion process is taken into account for the gas-phase flow in the cell. In the catalyst layer, except for Knudsen diffusion, water vapor in the pore is coupled with liquid water in the ionomor phase by the isotherm sorption and in equilibrium with each other. The results indicate both the operating pressure and mean current density are the important factors to affect the water transport process in the cell. Moreover, it is found that the liquid water diffusivity dependent on water content in the ionomer phase would lead to the water content distribution at the different degree nonuniformity. Additionally, the thinner membranes result in the higher and more uniform distribution of water content in the membrane phase. Furthermore, the concentration-gradient driven water flux based on Henry’law is exposed on the anode surface of the membrane as the boundary condition, which is more appropriate to present the reality of water content in the ionomer phase. The numerical results imply that it is very necessary to investigate the interaction among different components of a cell, so as to predict correctly the coupled transport phenomena occurred in the entire fuel cell.
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ASME 2009 7th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
June 8–10, 2009
Newport Beach, California, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4881-4
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Water Transport in the MEA of a PEM Fuel Cell
JuanFang Liu,
JuanFang Liu
Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Nobuyuki Oshima,
Nobuyuki Oshima
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Eru Kurihara,
Eru Kurihara
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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LitanKumar Saha
LitanKumar Saha
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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JuanFang Liu
Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Nobuyuki Oshima
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Eru Kurihara
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
LitanKumar Saha
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Paper No:
FuelCell2009-85061, pp. 315-322; 8 pages
Published Online:
February 17, 2010
Citation
Liu, J, Oshima, N, Kurihara, E, & Saha, L. "Water Transport in the MEA of a PEM Fuel Cell." Proceedings of the ASME 2009 7th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. ASME 2009 7th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Newport Beach, California, USA. June 8–10, 2009. pp. 315-322. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2009-85061
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