Numerical investigation of liquid water distribution in the cathode side of proton exchange membrane fuel cell and its effects on cell performance

A three-dimensional unsteady two-phase model for the cathode side of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) consisting of gas diffusion layer (GDL) with hybrid structural model is developed to investigate liquid water behaviors under different operating and geometrical conditions and to quantitatively evaluate effects of liquid water distribution on reactant transport and current density distribution. Simulation results reveal that liquid water transport processes and distributions are significantly affected by inlet air velocity, wall wettability and water inlet position, which in turn play a prominent role on local reactant transport and cause considerable disturbances of the current density. Liquid water film spreading on the gas channel (GC) top wall is identified as the most desirable flow pattern in the GC based on overall evaluations of current density magnitude, uniformity of current density distribution and pressure drop in the GC. Modification to GDL structure is proposed to promote the formation of the desirable flow pattern.

► Liquid water behaviors in PEMFC cathode with hybrid GDL structural model are simulated.
► Effects of air velocity, wall wettability and water inlet position on water distributions are investigated.
► Effects of water distribution on mass transport and current density distribution are evaluated.
► Film on the top wall of the GC is identified as the desirable flow pattern.
► GDL structures are modified based on the simulation results to improve water management in the GC.