Abstract
Gas transport paths within the gas diffusion layers (GDL) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) could become obstructed by liquid water agglomerations, especially at high current densities, which can lead to fuel starvation, reduced overall cell performance and lifetime. In this study, using a multiscale kinetic Monte Carlo model, the evolution of the liquid water distribution with time within a real GDL structure for different current densities is simulated. The processes covered in this model comprise water transport and water generation, which involve two different timescales. The multiscale model allows for sampling both types of processes by implementing the much slower water production reaction with a defined interval among the faster and more frequent water movement steps. The simulation results reveal how the operating conditions and GDL surface wetting properties effect the amount and distribution of the liquid water clusters within the structure.
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