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Mathematical modelling of the catalyst layer of a polymer-electrolyte fuel cell

Mathematical modelling of the catalyst layer of a polymer-electrolyte fuel cell
Mathematical modelling of the catalyst layer of a polymer-electrolyte fuel cell
In this paper we derive a mathematical model for the cathode catalyst layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The model explicitly incorporates the restriction placed on oxygen in reaching the reaction sites, capturing the experimentally observed fall in the current density to a limiting value at low cell voltages. Temperature variations and interfacial transfer of O2 between the dissolved and gas phases are also included. Bounds on the solutions are derived, from which we provide a rigorous proof that the model admits a solution. Of particular interest are the maximum and minimum attainable values. We perform an asymptotic analysis in several limits inherent in the problem by identifying important groupings of parameters. This analysis reveals a number of key relationships between the solutions, including the current density, and the composition of the layer. A comparison of numerically computed and asymptotic solutions shows very good agreement. Implications of the results are discussed and future work is outlined.
Fuel cell, Catalyst layer, Oxygen diffusion, Temperature variations, Bounds, Asymptoticanalysis.
0272-4960
302-330
Shah, A.
ee28c2a8-7574-4e71-a8d4-2d8dd0c1d6e8
Kim, G.S.
644f774b-0e19-4d52-813b-439ddfe38166
Promislow, K.
90ab80eb-50f4-4088-a522-5b15e7f16cf7
Shah, A.
ee28c2a8-7574-4e71-a8d4-2d8dd0c1d6e8
Kim, G.S.
644f774b-0e19-4d52-813b-439ddfe38166
Promislow, K.
90ab80eb-50f4-4088-a522-5b15e7f16cf7

Shah, A., Kim, G.S. and Promislow, K. (2007) Mathematical modelling of the catalyst layer of a polymer-electrolyte fuel cell. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics, 72 (3), 302-330.

Record type: Article

Abstract

In this paper we derive a mathematical model for the cathode catalyst layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The model explicitly incorporates the restriction placed on oxygen in reaching the reaction sites, capturing the experimentally observed fall in the current density to a limiting value at low cell voltages. Temperature variations and interfacial transfer of O2 between the dissolved and gas phases are also included. Bounds on the solutions are derived, from which we provide a rigorous proof that the model admits a solution. Of particular interest are the maximum and minimum attainable values. We perform an asymptotic analysis in several limits inherent in the problem by identifying important groupings of parameters. This analysis reveals a number of key relationships between the solutions, including the current density, and the composition of the layer. A comparison of numerically computed and asymptotic solutions shows very good agreement. Implications of the results are discussed and future work is outlined.

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More information

Published date: June 2007
Keywords: Fuel cell, Catalyst layer, Oxygen diffusion, Temperature variations, Bounds, Asymptoticanalysis.

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 44772
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/44772
ISSN: 0272-4960
PURE UUID: 4608d983-33d0-4613-a80e-30883978d58f

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Date deposited: 15 Mar 2007
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 09:07

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Contributors

Author: A. Shah
Author: G.S. Kim
Author: K. Promislow

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