Water and Thermal Management in Solid‐Polymer‐Electrolyte Fuel Cells

TLDR

Because the equilibrium sorption of water between the gas phase and the polymer‑electrolyte depends strongly on temperature, water and thermal management are interrelated. A mathematical model of transport in a solid‑polymer‑electrolyte fuel cell is presented. A two‑dimensional membrane‑electrode assembly is considered, and water management, thermal management, and fuel utilization are examined in detail. The rate of heat removal is shown to be a critical parameter in the operation of these fuel cells.

Abstract

A mathematical model of transport in a solid‐polymer‐electrolyte fuel cell is presented. A two‐dimensional membrane‐electrode assembly is considered. Water management, thermal management, and utilization of fuel are examined in detail. Because the equilibrium sorption of water between the gas phase and the polymer‐electrolyte depends strongly on temperature, water and thermal management are interrelated. The rate of heat removal is shown to be a critical parameter in the operation of these fuel cells.