Transport mechanism and performance simulation for PEM fuel cells

This paper presents a two-dimensional, two-phase flow and multi-component model for PEM fuel cells. Due to the critical role of water in PEM fuel cell performance, a two-phase flow approach has been adopted. A detailed catalyst model and a membrane model are imbedded into the two-phase model. The two-phase model, the governing equations for electrochemical reactions and membrane phase potential are solved, and the flow field, two-phase flow field, species distributions in the PEM fuel cell sandwich are obtained. Fuel cell polarization curves under various operating conditions have also been obtained. Typical results of species concentration and fuel cell performance are presented. The modeling results are in good agreement with our experimental data.