The effects of compression on single and multiphase flow in a model polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell gas diffusion layer

摘要: A two-dimensional study of an idealised fibrous medium representing the gas diffusion layer a PEMFC is conducted using computational fluid dynamics. Beginning with isotropic case compressed uni-directionally to observe effects on single and multiphase flow. Relations between compression ratio permeability are deduced key parameters dictating changes in flow elucidated. The main conclusions that whilst reduces absolute medium, creation anisotropic geometry results preferential liquid water pathways. most important parameter for capillary flow, uniformly hydrophobic media, minimum fibre spacing normal path. effect less pronounced decreasing contact angle non-existent neutrally wettable media.