A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell model with multi-species input

Abstract

DOI: 10.1243/095765005X7600Abstract: With the emerging realization that low temperature, low pressure polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technologies can realistically serve for power-generation of any scale, the value of comprehensive simulation models becomes equally evident. Many models have been successfully developed over the last two decades. One of the fundamental limitations among these models is that up to only three constituent species have been considered in the dry pre-humidified anode and cathode inlet gases, namely oxygen and nitrogen for the cathode and hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide for the anode. In order to extend the potential of theoretical study and to bring the simulation closer towards reality, in this research, a 1D steady-state, low temperature, isothermal, isobaric PEMFC model has been developed. The model accommodates multi-component diffusion in the porous electrodes and therefore offers the potential to further investigate the effects of contaminants such as carbon monoxide on cell performance. The simulated model polarizations agree well with published experimental data. It opens a wider scope to address the remaining limitations in the future with further developments.

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell transport mechanisms: a universal modelling framework from fundamental theory

“…where the first term on the right hand side describes diffusive flux and is consistent with equation ( 19), which appears in the work of Springer et al [27]. The second term describes electro-osmotic drag flux and is consistent with equation (18) in the same work.…”

“…This is done in the context of an isothermal and isobaric model. The electrode model is based on previous work on multi-species transport [18], but modified to give concentrations rather than mole fractions. For the same reason, equation ( 14) is applied in the electrodes where electro-osmotic drag does not occur (all species have zero valence) without deriving the Stefan -Maxwell equation.…”

“…The discussions in this work focus on modelling multi-species transport in the membrane region, which follows the previous work based on modelling multi-species transport in the gas channels and diffusion layers [18]. Transport in the membrane region is critical to a better understanding of the water distribution and the effects of crossover and contamination occurring through the membrane.…”

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Transport Mechanisms: Simulation Study of Hydrogen Crossover and Water Content

“…In the current model, we calculate the hydrogen permeability coefficient as a function of the net flux ratio of hydrogen 2 H α which is determined through a convergence process as detailed in our previous work [14,15]. The hydrogen permeability coefficient is calculated as;…”

“…Springer et al [7] In our previous work, we established a validated general transportation equation that describes the physical behaviour of a constituent species within a fluid mixture and which also provides a theoretically consistent meaning for the benchmark fuel cell modelling approaches listed above [14,15]. The general transport equation was applied to simulate transport across the membrane as an inter-dependant, simultaneous fourcomponent system comprising of water, hydrogen ions, hydrogen and electrolyte [15].…”