Characterization of water transport in gas diffusion media

Micro-Scale Analysis of Liquid Water Breakthrough inside Gas Diffusion Layer for PEMFC Using X-ray Computed Tomography and Lattice Boltzmann Method

“…and c = x t [5] where x is the lattice space and t is the time step. For the positive viscosity, τ > t 2…”

“…The complex structural and chemical heterogeneity of the GDL and MPL make studying the transport of liquid water and obtaining the solution for mass transport losses substantially complicated. 4,5 Many researchers have studied the transport of liquid water through the GDL and MPL in order to develop an understanding of the resistance of reactant gas transport due to water accumulation.6-27 These included the observation of vapor condensation and liquid breakthrough in a GDL using an environmental scanning electron microscope (SEM).13,14 They proposed a treelike transport mechanism in which micro-droplets condensed from vapor agglomerate to form macro-droplets which eventually flow preferentially toward larger pores and breakthrough. Pasaogullari and Wang 15 also assumed a treelike water transport behavior in GDLs in their two-phase flow model.…”

“…The complex structural and chemical heterogeneity of the GDL and MPL make studying the transport of liquid water and obtaining the solution for mass transport losses substantially complicated. 4,5 Many researchers have studied the transport of liquid water through the GDL and MPL in order to develop an understanding of the resistance of reactant gas transport due to water accumulation. These included the observation of vapor condensation and liquid breakthrough in a GDL using an environmental scanning electron microscope (SEM).…”

Visualization of Fuel Cell Water Transport and Performance Characterization under Freezing Conditions

“…These functions impose stringent requirements on the electrical, transport, and mechanical properties of the GDL. The extreme structural and chemical heterogeneity of GDLs substantially complicates the studies of liquid water transport and associated mass transport losses [45,46].…”

Investigation of Water Transport in Newly Developed Micro Porous Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

“…The water produced at the cathode catalyst layer exits the fuel cell either through the cathode flow channels or by back diffusion through the membrane to the anode flow channels. Hence, a well-balanced water management especially under critical operation conditions, such as temperatures below 60°C as well as high currents is an essential condition for optimum power output and long term stability (Gostick et al, 2009;Kitahara et al, 2010;Qi & Kaufman, 2002;Quick et al, 2009). Visualizing liquid water using in-situ imaging during cell operation is a well-established characterization method with many uses (Bazylak, 2009;Bellows et al, 1999;Hauβmann et al, 2013;Lange et al, 2010;Maier et al, 2012;Manke et al, 2011;.…”