Effect of Gas Channel on Water Formation in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Abstract

Water management is important for the development of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) having high performance and reliability. Experimental and numerical studies were carried out on PEFCs with serpentine channels. Two channel widths, 2 mm and 8 mm, were examined. It was found that the rib of each separator played the role of a cover that reduced the rate of water vapor removal from the gas diffusion layer.

Keywords

• polymer electrolyte fuel cell
• lattice gas automaton
• phase change