Numerical analysis of improved water management of open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells with a dead-ended anode by pulsating flow

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2023-05, Vol.48 (44), p.16858-16874
• Main Authors: Zhao, Jing, Zhou, Caiting, Han, Jinchi, Chen, Kang, Ren, Yanjie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Pulsating flow; Species transport enhancement; Water and gas management
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.01.118

Anode water management is critical for the efficient operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with a dead-ended anode. To clarify the mass transfer phenomenon in the anode flow channel under the dead-ended anode mode, and reveal the influence mechanism of pulsating flow on water management, a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal transient model is established in this study. The water content and species distribution in different layers are analyzed, and the internal relationship between water transport behavior and output performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell under different operating conditions is explored. The simulation results show that the output performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell in dead-ended anode mode is directly related to the gas diffusion layer's water saturation and the hydrogen mass transfer. Furthermore, pulsating flow can effectively suppress the back diffusion of water, and improve the mass transfer rate of hydrogen. Consequently, the water management and the operational stability of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell are significantly improved. The research results of this paper have important guiding significance for improving the water and gas management of fuel cells. [Display omitted] •PEMFC performance is dominated by GDL water saturation and H2 mass transfer.•Operating conditions affect water transfer characteristics thus affecting PEMFC dynamic behavior.•Pulsating flow inhibits back diffusion of water and improve H2 diffusivity.