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Modeling the Liquid Water Transport in the Gas Diffusion Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using a Water Path Network

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Alink

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Heidenhofstrasse 2, Freiburg 79110, Germany)

  • Dietmar Gerteisen

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Heidenhofstrasse 2, Freiburg 79110, Germany)

Abstract

In order to model the liquid water transport in the porous materials used in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, the pore network models are often applied. The presented model is a novel approach to further develop these models towards a percolation model that is based on the fiber structure rather than the pore structure. The developed algorithm determines the stable liquid water paths in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) structure and the transitions from the paths to the subsequent paths. The obtained water path network represents the basis for the calculation of the percolation process with low calculation efforts. A good agreement with experimental capillary pressure-saturation curves and synchrotron liquid water visualization data from other literature sources is found. The oxygen diffusivity for the GDL with liquid water saturation at breakthrough reveals that the porosity is not a crucial factor for the limiting current density. An algorithm for condensation is included into the model, which shows that condensing water is redirecting the water path in the GDL, leading to an improved oxygen diffusion by a decreased breakthrough pressure and changed saturation distribution at breakthrough.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Alink & Dietmar Gerteisen, 2013. "Modeling the Liquid Water Transport in the Gas Diffusion Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using a Water Path Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:6:y:2013:i:9:p:4508-4530:d:28451
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Qinchuan Niu & Minglin Li & Lianfeng Lai, 2022. "Effect of In-Pore Wettability on Mass Transfer Performance of Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Layer," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Zhongmin Wan & Huawei Chang & Shuiming Shu & Yongxiang Wang & Haolin Tang, 2014. "A Review on Cold Start of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-25, May.
    3. Riccardo Balzarotti & Saverio Latorrata & Marco Mariani & Paola Gallo Stampino & Giovanni Dotelli, 2020. "Optimization of Perfluoropolyether-Based Gas Diffusion Media Preparation for PEM Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Idoia San Martín & Alfredo Ursúa & Pablo Sanchis, 2014. "Modelling of PEM Fuel Cell Performance: Steady-State and Dynamic Experimental Validation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-31, February.
    5. Fadzillah, D.M. & Rosli, M.I. & Talib, M.Z.M. & Kamarudin, S.K. & Daud, W.R.W., 2017. "Review on microstructure modelling of a gas diffusion layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1001-1009.
    6. Devin Fowler & Vladimir Gurau & Daniel Cox, 2019. "Bridging the Gap between Automated Manufacturing of Fuel Cell Components and Robotic Assembly of Fuel Cell Stacks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-14, September.

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