A two-dimensional analysis of mass transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Influence of porosity and permeability

A modelling of two-dimensional is developed to simulate transport phenomena in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The work is motivated by the need to understand the transport processes in fuel cells in order to improve water management, and to alleviate mass transport limitations. The model takes into account diffusion of the humidified fuel (H2, and H2O(v)) and oxidant gases (O2, and H2O(v)) through the porous electrodes, and the membrane. The thermodynamic equilibrium potential is calculated using the Nernst equation, and reaction kinetics is determined using the Butler-Volmer equation. A finite volume procedure is developed to solve the system of differential equations. A steady-state, two-dimensional mathematical model with a complete set of governing equations valid in different components of a PEM fuel cell was developed to illustrate the effects of electrode porosity and permeability on the transport of reactants and the performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. This model studies the transport of species along the porous media: gas diffusion layers (GDL) anode and cathode, and the membrane of PEMFC fuel cell.