Three-dimensional and anisotropic numerical analysis of a PEM fuel cell

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 47; no. 45; pp. 19758 - 19771
• Main Authors: Taş, Mert, Elden, Gülşah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 26.05.2022
• Subjects: Anisotropic electrical conductivity; Charge transport parameters; Diffusion layers; PEM fuel cell; Anisotropic electrical conductivity; Diffusion layers; Charge transport parameters; PEM fuel cell
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.12.219

In this study, the effects of cell temperature and relative humidity on charge transport parameters are numerically analyzed. In order to perform this analysis, three-dimensional and anisotropic numerical models are developed. The numerical models are integrated into the experimental values for anisotropic electrical conductivities, as depending on cell temperature and relative humidity, that were obtained from our previous study. The achieved results indicate that the values of current densities in the in-plane direction increase with increasing cell temperature and relative humidity, while the current densities reach a maximum in the rib regions for both the numerical model at the through-plane direction. The behaviors of electrolyte potentials are similar with changes in the cell temperature and relative humidity. In addition, the cathode electrical potentials in both the in-plane direction and through-plane direction do not change to a considerable amount with increasing cell temperature and relative humidity. •The three-dimensional, steady state, single phase and anisotropic numerical model.•The numerical models without MPL and with MPL for PEM fuel cell with serpentine channel.•The anisotropic electrical conductivities depending on cell temperature and relative humidity.•The variations of the charge transport parameters with the cell operating temperature and the relative humidity.•The numerical results about the charge transport parameters at both in-plane and through plane directions.