Modeling and simulation of the operation of a whole alkaline fuel cell by using concentrated electrolyte solution transport theory

Abstract

The paper reports an extension of our previous model for an AFC cathode. The models of these two electrodes are based on the flooded agglomerate model. The transport of water and hydroxide ion across the active layers and the separator within the electrolyte solution phase is described by concentrated electrolyte solution transport equations. For transport in the gaseous phase both molecular diffusion and Knudsen diffusion are considered. For the transport of water it is shown that it is important to take into consideration the effect of the combination of gas phase transport, liquid phase transport and transfer between the two phases. Simulation calculations demonstrate several interesting effects predicted as a result of the new capabilities in our model which are not considered in previous modeling work in the literature.