Numerical Simulation Of Mass Transfer And Conduction Of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has become the major type of fuel cells for its high-energy efficiency, pollution-free characteristics, simplicity in design and operation, and low operation temperature. Since the experimental study of developing a good fuel cell is expensive, the numerical simulation based on CFD has become an important tool to expose the relationship between the cell performance and the cell structure parameters and the operation conditions.In this paper, the HOMOGENEOUS MODEL, which is a simplified model of multi-fluids model integrated in CFX4.3 software, is used to simulate 2-D, single-phase, isothermal, steady and laminar flow coupled with a electrochemistry reaction in porous media to study the performance of PEMFC. The paper analyzes, at first, the effects of the transport and reaction process on the polarization curve of the cell. The calculation results are in consistent with published experimental data.The paper discusses effects of some operation conditions on the performance of fuel cells based on the simulation results, including inlet volume fraction, inlet temperature and humidified conditions, The paper also discusses effects of the electrode structure parameter, including diffuser porosity, diffuser thickness, catalyst thickness and membrane thickness on the polarization curve. It gives optimal design parameter in a certain condition and provides theoretical evidence for design of PEMFC.This shows that it is very necessary to simulate the transport and reaction process of PEMFC, and it has a great application prospect.