Advanced control of liquid water region in diffusion media of polymer electrolyte fuel cells through a dimensionless number

Wang, Yun; Chen, Ken S.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.03.045

Title: Advanced control of liquid water region in diffusion media of polymer electrolyte fuel cells through a dimensionless number

Journal Article · Mon Mar 21 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Power Sources

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.03.045· OSTI ID:1340270

^[1]; Chen, Ken S. ^[2]

The Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

In the present study, a three-dimension (3-D) model of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is employed to investigate the complex, non-isothermal, two-phase flow in the gas diffusion layer (GDL). Phase change in gas flow channels is explained, and a simplified approach accounting for phase change is incorporated into the fuel cell model. It is found that the liquid water contours in the GDL are similar along flow channels when the channels are subject to two-phase flow. Here, analysis is performed on a dimensionless parameter Da₀ introduced in our previous paper and the parameter is further evaluated in a realistic fuel cell. We found that the GDL's liquid water (or liquid-free) region is determined by the Da₀ number which lumps several parameters, including the thermal conductivity and operating temperature. By adjusting these factors, a liquid-free GDL zone can be created even though the channel stream is two-phase flow. Such a liquid-free zone is adjacent to the two-phase region, benefiting local water management, namely avoiding both severe flooding and dryness.

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Research Organization:: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000

OSTI ID:: 1340270

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1341181

Report Number(s):: SAND-2016-12864J; 650076

Journal Information:: Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 315, Issue C; ISSN 0378-7753

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 11 works

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