One dimensional modelling of oxygen diffusion in a gas diffusion layer of PEM Fuel Cell

In this paper, we present one dimensional single phase model of diffusion in a gas diffusion layer of PEM Fuel Cell. During the operation of a Fuel Cell, gas, water vapour and liquid water get transported at different rates through the porous structure of gas diffusion layer. Fick's law of diffusion, Knudsen diffusion, pressure driven flow and capillary pressure are considered to describe the flow under various circumstances within the layer,. Porosity and tortuosity of the layer play major roles in deciding the flow conditions. We are presenting results of studies on the flow of oxygen gas through the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL). MATLAB/SIMULINK platform was used for this purpose.