Validation of a two-phase multidimensional polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell computational model using current distribution measurements

Validation of computational models for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance is crucial for understanding the limits of the model predictions. We compare predictions from a multiphase PEMFC computational model with experimental data collected under various current density, temperature and humidification conditions from a single 50 cm2 PEMFC with a 10 × 10 segmented current collector. Both cell voltage and current distribution measurements are used to quantify the predictive capability of the computational model. Several quantitative measures are used to quantify the error in the model predictions for current distribution, including root mean square error, maximum/minimum local error, and local error averaged from inlet to outlet. The cell voltage predictions were within 15 mV of the experimental data in the current range from 0.1 to 1.2 A cm−2, and the current distributions were acceptable (less than 30% local error) except for the low temperature case, where the model overpredicted the current distribution. Particular attention was paid to incorporating experimental variability into the model validation process.

► Model validation using current distribution data is demonstrated using a 3D, multiphase computational fuel cell model.
► Uncertainty in the experimental data is included in the validation in order to improve the model credibility.
► Cell voltage agreement (model and experiment) is within 15 mV.
► Current distribution error is less than 30% at 80 C operation, with errors up to 60% at low temperature (60 C).