A numerical study on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells due to the variation in gas diffusion layer permeability

摘要: Convective flow in the under-rib regions of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) is a non-negligible transport process that can enhance performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) by facilitating efficient utilization catalyst (CLs) those regions. The permeability GDLs has been recognized as dominant factor influencing intensity convection PEMFCs. In this study, correlation between and PEMFCs was numerically investigated through detailed simulation electrochemical processes using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool. Three serpentine fields with one, three, or five parallel paths were considered reactant channels for an active cell area 3 cm × cm, while varied from 1×10−12 m2 to 1×10−10 m2. effects field design GDL on presented, along their impacts local distribution current density, water content, concentration.