Generalization of a CFD model to predict the net power in PEM fuel cells

Qualitatively, it is already known that reactants content within the catalyst layer (CL) is the driving moments for the kinetics of reaction within the CL. The present paper is aimed to quantitatively express the level of enhancement in electrical power due to enrichment in the oxygen content. For a given MEA, a fl ow fi eld (FF) designer is always willing to design a FF to maximize the content of oxygen in all regions of the CL. Using the guidelines provided in this paper, FF-designers, without a cumbrous CFD computations, can predict how much enhancement in electrical power can be achieved due to 1% enrichment in oxygen content within the CL. To answer to this question, a three dimensional CFD tool has been used. It simulates steady, single-phase fl ow of reactant-product of moist air mixture in the air side electrode of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The task is performed for diff erent channel geometries, all of them as parallel straight fl ow fi elds (FF), via which a relation between the oxygen content at the face of CL and the cell net power is developed. It is observed that at V=0.35 V, for 1% enrichment in oxygen content within the CL, the net power can enhance by 3.5%.