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Liquid Water Transport and Distribution in the Gas Diffusion Layer of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Considering Interfacial Cracks

Author

Listed:
  • Bao Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shibo Cao

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yanzhou Qin

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Xin Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Xiaomin Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    Chengdu Vehicle Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610093, China)

  • Qianfan Xin

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China)

Abstract

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), with a high energy conversion efficiency, has become an important means of hydrogen energy utilization. However, water condensation is unavoidable in the PEMFC because of low operating temperatures. The impact of liquid water on PEMFC performance and stability is significant. The gas diffusion layer (GDL) provides a critical transport path for liquid water in the PEMFC. Liquid water saturation and distribution in the GDL determine water flooding and mass transfer efficiency in the PEMFC. In this study, focusing on the effects of the water introduction method, osmotic pressure, and contact angle, the liquid water transport in the GDL was numerically investigated based on a pore-scale model using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The results showed that compared with the conventional water introduction method without cracks, the saturation and spatial distribution of water inside the GDL obtained in the simulation were more consistent with the experimental results when the water was introduced through the microporous layer (MPL) crack. It was found that increasing the osmotic pressure resulted in a faster rate of water penetration, faster approaching the steady-state performance, and higher saturation. The ultra-high osmotic pressure contributed to the secondary breakthrough with a significant increase in saturation. Increasing the contact angle caused higher capillary resistance, especially in the region with small pore sizes. At a constant osmotic pressure, as the contact angle increased, the liquid water gradually failed to penetrate into the small pores around the transport path, causing saturation reduction and an ultimate failure to break through the GDL. Increasing the contact angle contributed to a higher breakthrough pressure and secondary breakthrough pressure.

Suggested Citation

  • Bao Li & Shibo Cao & Yanzhou Qin & Xin Liu & Xiaomin Xu & Qianfan Xin, 2024. "Liquid Water Transport and Distribution in the Gas Diffusion Layer of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Considering Interfacial Cracks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:21:p:5339-:d:1507500
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Huicui & Zhang, Ruirui & Xia, Zhifeng & Weng, Qianyao & Zhang, Tong & Pei, Pucheng, 2023. "Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell flooding mitigation under heavy loading condition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    2. Afra, Mehran & Nazari, Mohsen & Kayhani, Mohammad Hasan & Sharifpur, M. & Meyer, J.P., 2019. "3D experimental visualization of water flooding in proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 967-977.
    3. Jiao, Kui & Park, Jaewan & Li, Xianguo, 2010. "Experimental investigations on liquid water removal from the gas diffusion layer by reactant flow in a PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(9), pages 2770-2777, September.
    4. Park, Jae Wan & Jiao, Kui & Li, Xianguo, 2010. "Numerical investigations on liquid water removal from the porous gas diffusion layer by reactant flow," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(7), pages 2180-2186, July.
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