Mass transfer formulation for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell cathode

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 40; no. 35; pp. 11641 - 11650
• Main Author: Beale, Steven B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 21.09.2015
• Subjects: Concentration polarisation; Diffusion over-potential; Fuel cells; Mass transfer; Transport phenomena; Concentration polarisation; Transport phenomena; Fuel cells; Mass transfer; Diffusion over-potential
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.05.074

A standard mechanical engineering mass transfer analysis is adapted to obtain performance calculations for the cathode of a typical polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Mathematical details are provided and sample calculations performed, based on a number of simplifying assumptions. The relative advantages of low and high-mass transfer formulations are critically appraised and compared to a highly-simplified method. •A mass transfer analysis is applied to the cathode of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.•Detailed high and low mass transfer models are considered, together with a simplified method.•The results are presented in terms of a concentration overpotential and limiting current density.•A first estimate for limiting current density can be based on the simplified method.•For studies of the rate of water transfer, a detailed method must be employed.