Numerical simulations for optimizing the liquid water transport in the gas diffusion layer and gas channels of a PEMFC

YANG Jiapei; MA Xiao; LEI Timan; LUO Kai H.; SHUAI Shijin

doi:10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2019.26.013

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Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology) ›› 2019, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (7) : 580-586. DOI: 10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2019.26.013

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Numerical simulations for optimizing the liquid water transport in the gas diffusion layer and gas channels of a PEMFC

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Abstract

The multiple-relation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann method with a high-density-ratio two-phase model was used to simulate liquid water transport in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and gas channels of a high-current-density fuel cell. The results show the effects of Reynolds number, perforation shapes and locations in the GDL and the angles of the wave-like gas channels on the water transport. The results show that the GDL and the gas channels should be optimized together to improve the water removal rate. In addition, the results show that the water begins running out of the GDL at earlier times as the Reynolds number increases with the times not related to the wave-like gas channel angle or the perforation shape or location. The structural optimization of the perforated GDL and the wave-like gas channels can guide future designs of fuel cells with high current densities.

Key words

proton exchange membrane fuel cell / gas diffusion layer / gas channel / water transport / lattice Boltzmann method

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YANG Jiapei, MA Xiao, LEI Timan, LUO Kai H., SHUAI Shijin. Numerical simulations for optimizing the liquid water transport in the gas diffusion layer and gas channels of a PEMFC[J]. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology). 2019, 59(7): 580-586 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2019.26.013

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