A Finite Element Analysis of the Gas Diffusion Layer of a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Abstract

Multi-component gas transport phenomena in a cathode electrode layer of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFC) are investigated by using a two-dimensional computational model developed by Yi and Nguyen. In the past research, we encountered a problem that the solution did not converge when the same settings for physical parameters with them were used in our steady simulations. In the present study, we extend our simulation from steady to unsteady simulation to avoid the problem. Also, based on the results, the effect of changing permeability in the simulations is discussed with reporting possible errors regarding the value of permeability shown in the reference at the same time.