A mathematical model for the onset of water flooding in the cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Graduation Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Environmental Systems, Mathematical Modeling, 2006

Committee Chair Name

Kenneth D. Owens

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Mathematical model, Transient, Proton exchange membrane fuel cell, Cathode, Time dependent, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Mathematical modeling, PEMFC, Mass transport

Abstract

This thesis constructs a mathematical model for the onset of water flooding of the cathode gas diffusion medium in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The model results include a coupled system of partial differential equations that govern diffusion driven mass transport. These equations are solved using finite difference approximations of the derivatives and the numeric solution is implemented with a Matlab algorithm. Using this algorithm, we obtain time estimates for the onset of flooding for a range of current densities and relative humidities. Taken together, these estimates form a time surface for the onset of flooding which characterizes proton exchange membrane fuel cell flooding behavior. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates that the use of concentration dependent ternary diffusion coefficients generates a solution which requires fewer approximations of the governing laws, providing a more direct representation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell flooding dynamics.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/b5644t820

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