Simulation-Aided PEM Fuel Cell Design and Performance Evaluation

Abstract

A multi-resolution fuel cell simulation strategy has been employed to simulate and evaluate the design and performance of hydrogen PEM fuel cells with different flow channels. A full 3D model is employed for the gas diffusion layer and a 1D+2D model is applied to the catalyst layer. Further, a quasi-1D method is used to model the flow channels. The cathode half-cell simulation was performed for three types of flow channels: serpentine, parallel, and interdigitated. Simulations utilized the same overall operating conditions. Comparisons of results indicate that the interdigitated flow channel is the optimal design under the specified operating conditions.