Quasi-3D Model of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with Different Types of Gas Flow Field

Abstract A quasi-3D model for performance calculation of the oxygen/hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was developed. The model takes into account oxygen and proton transport in porous cathode, oxygen transport in porous gas diffusion layer (GDL) and oxygen consumption at the cathode. Combined numerical/analytical multi-scale approach was utilized to develop fast acting model that accounts for 3D effects. The model utilizes effective transport properties of the cathode and the GDL as calibration parameters. Due to small computational time, the model is applicable for diagnostic of experimental PEMFC performance curves and determining of effective transport properties of the cathode and the GDL. Two different types of the oxygen feed were studied by the model: the Parallel Flow Field (PFF) and the Interdigitated Flow Field (IDFF). The model predicts the higher performance of the PEMFC with IDFF type of air feed for all values of geometrical parameters.