CFD electrochemical modeling of the cathode electrode of PEM fuel cell

A 3D computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of polymer exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is presented. Two different popular models, known as homogeneous and agglomerate models, are used to simulate the oxygen reduction reaction that occurs within the cathode catalyst layer. To complete the simulation of electrochemical reaction, the potential fields of electronic and protonic current are solved, subjected to two different methods for definition of boundary conditions. These two methods are identified based on the definition of the local over-potential in the catalyst layer and boundary conditions for the electronic and protonic potentials. The first method, Method 1, is defined based on the cell potential while the second one, Method 2, is defined based on the cell over-potential. The results indicate that although Method 1 is physically more meaningful and intelligible, but Method 2 has a better grid convergence behavior and is computationally more cost -effective by 8.57% and 14.31% in homogeneous and agglomerate model, respectively.

کلیدواژه ها:

Agglomerate model ، Homogeneous model ، Polarization curve ، Polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) ، Potential field.