Modeling of Two Phase Flow in the Cathode of Gas Diffusion Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

In the PEM fuel cells, gas phase (air and vapour) and liquid water could simultaneously flow through the cathode Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL). On the other hand, the performance of fuel cell and the main characteristic parameters of the flow can be influenced by the interaction of these gas and liquid phases. In the present study, the main parameters of two-phase flow in the GDL such as capillary pressure, mole concentrations of gas species, gas velocity and liquid velocity have been evaluated by considering the interactional effects of the aforementioned two phases. Also, the impact of changing the value of cathode channel humidity and fuel cell temperature on the value of the mentioned parameters has been investigated. The results indicated that decreasing of relative humidity in the cathode channel causes an increase in the rate of water vaporization. Thus, this leads to a decrease in the liquid water velocity, capillary pressure gradient and saturation gradient in the GDL. Also, increasing the temperature causes an increase in the rate of water vaporization and a decrease in the gas velocity and gas pressure gradient.