A Modelling and Experimental Study of Water Transport in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract:

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are promising cleanenergy converting devices with high efficiency and zero emissions, which hasaroused the attention of international enterprises and scientific researchinstitutions. PEMFC can be used in transportation, stationary, portable andmicro power applications. To simultaneously ensure high membrane protonconductivity and sufficient reactant delivery to reaction sites, water managementhas become one of the most important issues for PEMFC commercialization, andproper water management requires good understanding of water transport indifferent components of PEMFC.We use a combination of experiment and simulationto investigate the nature of the water transport in PEMFC, especially toimprove performance and extend lifetime.

The expected outcomes from this PhD project:

1) Anaccurate and comprehensive CFD model of water transport in PEMFC;

2) Theprocess of water phase transitions in PEMFC;

3) A novelproton exchange membrane-electrode-assembly with water uptake layer;

Funding: China Scholarship Council