Heat and water transport models for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

Abstract Owing to conflicting requirements of membrane hydration and avoiding flooding by liquid water, water management is very critical for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). Water saturation pressure is strongly dependent on temperature around the PEFC operating temperatures. Therefore water transport and water management are strongly dependent on temperature distribution and thermal transport within the fuel cell. In this article, heat and water management in PEFCs is explored with a focus on modeling of the coupled heat and water transport. Effect of membrane hydration on fuel cell operation and performance is investigated in detail. Heat generation in PEFCs is described and breakdown of heat sources is given, and models describing the thermal transport and temperature distribution are reviewed. Coupled two‐phase heat and mass transport is elucidated along with the results from the computational models describing the phenomena.