Reactant gas flow fields in advanced PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell designs. [Proton exchange membranes- Flow in gas channels]

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7238631

Kimble, M C; Vanderborgh, N E

A mathematical model of the two-phase flow in a fuel cell gas channel is developed and used to predict the mass, momentum, and thermal distributions of a multi-component gas and liquid water mixture on the cathode side. Regions were flooding may occur are demonstrated by using the model evaluated with various operating conditions typical of fuel cell operations. Conditions where dry, saturated, and two-phase flows are introduced into the channel are demonstrated and the results compared. These results show the distribution of water and heat in the channel which may be used to design better flow channels.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 7238631
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-92-2155; CONF-920801--20; ON: DE92018897
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FUEL CELLS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEMBRANES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
TWO-PHASE FLOW
WATER