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Reduced-dimensional models for straight-channel proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Reduced-dimensional models for straight-channel proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Reduced-dimensional models for straight-channel proton exchange membrane fuel cells
A comprehensive description of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance includes the transport phenomena, phase change and electrochemical reaction inside the several components, which possess disparate characteristics and together form a complex three-dimensional geometry. Much of the modelling work in this area has, therefore, relied on the techniques of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) approach can, however, be prohibitively time consuming. Consequently, it is not the ideal basis for a rapid screening tool that operates under a wide range of design options and operating conditions. Mathematical models and solution procedures using simplified models with reduced dimensions have been proposed to address this issue. Such approaches are computationally efficient, but no systematic study has been conducted to qualitatively or quantitatively assess the impact of the neglected dimensionality on the accuracy of the resulting model. In this paper, we compare results from a hierarchy of reduced-dimensional models to the results from a comprehensive 3D CFD model for a single, straight-channel unit cell. The quality of the simulation results from reduced-dimensional models, including the cell voltage and the distributions of current density and relative humidity, are assessed. We demonstrate that the 2 + 1D approach, which includes mass transport in the 2D cross-section of the channel and membrane electrode assembly and integrates along the flow channel, is optimal in terms of both efficiency and accuracy. It provides a sound basis for a simulation tool that can be used in the early stages of a unit-cell design cycle
proton exchange membrane fuel cell, CFD, transport phenomena, reduced-dimensionality, efficient simulation
0378-7753
3240-3249
Kim, Gwang-Soo
bd40366c-ed52-4f19-a220-b6cb5683c5b9
Sui, P.C.
5ceeeb25-0d47-4cfd-9f53-5e99ab617546
Shah, A.A.
5c43ac37-c4a7-4256-88ef-8c427886b924
Djilali, Ned
4d5114da-caca-454b-b36e-d6f86dad1e6c
Kim, Gwang-Soo
bd40366c-ed52-4f19-a220-b6cb5683c5b9
Sui, P.C.
5ceeeb25-0d47-4cfd-9f53-5e99ab617546
Shah, A.A.
5c43ac37-c4a7-4256-88ef-8c427886b924
Djilali, Ned
4d5114da-caca-454b-b36e-d6f86dad1e6c

Kim, Gwang-Soo, Sui, P.C., Shah, A.A. and Djilali, Ned (2010) Reduced-dimensional models for straight-channel proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 195 (10), 3240-3249. (doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.110).

Record type: Article

Abstract

A comprehensive description of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance includes the transport phenomena, phase change and electrochemical reaction inside the several components, which possess disparate characteristics and together form a complex three-dimensional geometry. Much of the modelling work in this area has, therefore, relied on the techniques of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) approach can, however, be prohibitively time consuming. Consequently, it is not the ideal basis for a rapid screening tool that operates under a wide range of design options and operating conditions. Mathematical models and solution procedures using simplified models with reduced dimensions have been proposed to address this issue. Such approaches are computationally efficient, but no systematic study has been conducted to qualitatively or quantitatively assess the impact of the neglected dimensionality on the accuracy of the resulting model. In this paper, we compare results from a hierarchy of reduced-dimensional models to the results from a comprehensive 3D CFD model for a single, straight-channel unit cell. The quality of the simulation results from reduced-dimensional models, including the cell voltage and the distributions of current density and relative humidity, are assessed. We demonstrate that the 2 + 1D approach, which includes mass transport in the 2D cross-section of the channel and membrane electrode assembly and integrates along the flow channel, is optimal in terms of both efficiency and accuracy. It provides a sound basis for a simulation tool that can be used in the early stages of a unit-cell design cycle

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Submitted date: May 2010
Published date: May 2010
Keywords: proton exchange membrane fuel cell, CFD, transport phenomena, reduced-dimensionality, efficient simulation

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 72201
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/72201
ISSN: 0378-7753
PURE UUID: 68849184-0480-499b-b1af-c80874e02ca9

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Date deposited: 15 Feb 2010
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 21:19

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Contributors

Author: Gwang-Soo Kim
Author: P.C. Sui
Author: A.A. Shah
Author: Ned Djilali

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