Coupled Thermal and Water Management in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Abstract

Thermal and water management are intricately coupled in polymer-electrolyte fuel cells. In this paper, we simulate fuel-cell performance and account for nonisothermal phenomena. The transport of water due to a temperature gradient and its associated effects on performance are described, with the increase of reactant dilution by the water-vapor partial pressure being the most dominant. In addition, simulations are undergone to find the optimum operating temperature and maximum power density as a function of external heat-transfer coefficient. The shape of the optimization curves and the magnitudes of the nonisothermal phenomena are also detailed and explained.