Abstract
A numerical study on the water management in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was performed. Both the one-dimensional numerical analysis in membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and the three-dimensional numerical analysis in cathode side flow channel were carried out for discussion of water transport. In order to find the operating condition without dehydration of the water and/or flooding of the electrodes induced by an imbalance between production and removal rates of water, the effects of the operating pressure, and the thickness of membrane and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) on the cell performance were investigated by using numerical analysis of the MEA. The calculation results show that water behavior in the membrane depends on the pressure difference between the anode and cathode sides, and thickness of membrane as well as current density. The calculation results of three-dimensional analysis in separator show the gas flow distribution affects vapor concentration and current density distribution.
