Heat flux from the catalyst layer of a fuel cell

We report exact solutions to the problem of heat transport in the catalyst layer (CL) of a fuel cell. The solutions are obtained for the low- and high-current regimes of CL operation. The approximate equation for the heat flux from the CL valid for the whole range of current densities is suggested. This equation is suitable for CFD calculations of heat transport in cells and stacks. Heat fluxes from the catalyst layers of PEMFC, HT-PEMFC and DMFC are discussed.

Graphical abstractThe total heat flux from the catalyst layerqtot=TΔSnF+η0+b1−expjlt3σionbjFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We derive an equation for the heat flux q from the catalyst layer of a fuel cell. ► The Joule heating due to the proton current is taken into account. ► We show that the standard equation for q used so far strongly overestimates the Joule heating. ► The reported equation is suitable for CFD calculations of fuel cells and stacks.