Event Details
PEM Fuel Cell Modelling
Presenter: Mr. Torsten Berning - Department of Mechanical Engineering
Supervisor:
Date: Tue, January 15, 2002
Time: 10:00:00 - 11:00:00
Place: EOW 430
ABSTRACT
Abstract
Detailed measurements of properties such as the fluid flow distribution, species concentration, temperature distribution and local current densities are difficult to obtain during the operation of a fuel cell. Nonetheless, information like that is critical for improving the fuel cell performance, reducing cost and identifying possible failure mechanisms. Therefore, numerical models that are capable of producing this information would be very useful for design and optimization as well as improved fundamental understanding of transport processes in fuel cells.
In the past years, a detailed three-dimensional model for a PEM fuel cell has been developed at the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria (IESVic). Building on earlier theoretical work, and taking advantage of modern computational fluid dynamics techniques, this model takes into account all major transport phenomena in a PEM fuel cell. It relies on the numerical solution of the equations expressing conservation of mass and momentum as well as energy and chemical species.
This presentation will focus on the water management inside a PEM Fuel Cell. Water management is critical for fuel cell operation, because on one side the fuel cell membrane has to be kept fully humidified at all times to ensure optimum protonic conductivity, on the other side an excess of liquid water leads to pore-plugging inside the gas diffusion layers, which has a detrimental effect on the fuel cell performance at high current densities. It will be shown, which design parameters are critical for the water management at both the anode and cathode side of a fuel cell.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Coffee and Cookies Will be Provided
For Further Information Please Contact: Torsten Berning (721-8923)