Effects of porosity gradient in gas diffusion

layers on performance of proton exchange

membrane fuel cells
Yu-Xian Huang a, Chin-Hsiang Cheng , Xiao-Dong Wang , Jiin-Yuh Jang
Article code : Energy 35 (2010) 4786e4794

Presented by
Rizky Kusumastuti (108323607)
National Central University (NCU)
English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan
English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan
 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details

Introduction Results and Analysis

Conclusions

PEM Fuel Cells

The performance
Diffusion of reactant
Gas Diffusion and water POROSITY
Layer
Electronic
(ε)
(GDL)
Porous Medium conduction
Improvement in gas transport & electronic conduction t

1/7 International Conference on Advanced Computing and Intelligent

English Seminar National Engineering (ICACIETaiwan
Central University, 2016)
 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details

Related Works Results and Analysis

Conclusions

Zhan, et al Effects of porosity distribution variation on the liquid water flux

(2006) through gas diffusion layers of PEM fuel cells

2/7 English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details

Proposed Approach Results and Analysis

Conclusions

a three-dimensional, two-phase numerical

simulation model is developed to investigate the
transport phenomena in the PEMFC with a
porosity gradient formed in the cathode GDL.

3/7 English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details

Experimental Details Results and Analysis

Conclusions

Mathematical Model
Theoretycal Analysis
1. Transport equation for reactant and water
Assumption 2. Buttler Volmer equation
1. The system is steady and adiabatic
Numerical Methods
2. The inlet reactants are ideal gases
The SIMPLEC Algorithm and The finite
3. The flow is laminar
Element Methode
4. Gas diffusion layer and catalyst are
isotropic

Boundary Condition
Ǭanode = 74.5 cc/min
Ǭcathode = 295.4 cc/min
T = 323K

Parallel Z-serpentine Interdigitated

4/7 English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan
 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details
Experimental Details Results and Analysis
Conclusions

Schematic of PEMFC

No gradient / referred as
original case

English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Experimental Details Proposed Approach
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions

The Parameters

English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details

Results and Analysis Results and Analysis

Conclusions

Parallel channel design Z-serpentine channel design Interdigitated channel design

Highest Cell Performance :

Poorer Cell Performance :

5/7 English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Effect of gradient porosity on liquid water saturation distribution

A B

Parallel Z-serpentine
channel Channel
design design

English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Effect of gradient porosity on capillary diffusivity distribution

C D

Parallel Z-serpentine
channel Channel
design design

6/7 English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis Results and Analysis
Conclusions

Effect of gradient porosity on oxygen mass fraction distribution

Parallel channel design Z-serpentine Channel design

Oxygen usage 36 % to 46 % 55 % to 67 %

English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

 Introduction
Related Works
Proposed Approach
Experimental Details

Conclusions Results and Analysis

Conclusions

1. A porosity gradient is formed in the cathode GDL to enhance gas reactant transport
and increase the capillary diffusivity so as to remove the water condensate

7/7 English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan

Thank you

English Seminar National Central University, Taiwan