Simulation of PEM fuel cells using the mixed-domain model

In this paper, the mixed-domain numerical model has been used for modeling and simulation of a PEM fuel cell. This new method is established based on a complete set of conservation equations, including equations of mass, momentum, species concentrations, electron and proton transport, and water content in the membrane. In this mixed-domain model, the conservation equation of the water concentration is solved only in the gas channels, gas diffusion layers, and the catalyst layers while a conservation equation of the water content is solved in the membrane. These two equations are connected using a set of internal boundary conditions. In addition, a fictitious water concentration treatment is applied in the two catalyst layers to consider water transport in the membrane phase. This method can be used for three-dimensional PEM fuel cell modeling, and its computational domains include the bipolar plates, gas channels, gas diffusion layers and catalyst layers on both anode and cathode sides, and the membrane in the middle. Results from the present mixed-domain method are more accurate than those from a single-domain method.