Direct simulation of liquid water dynamics in the gas channel of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Abstract

For better water management in gas channels (GCs) of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), a profound understanding of the liquid water dynamics is needed. In this study, we propose a novel geometrical setup to conduct a series of direct simulations of the liquid water dynamics in a GC. The conducting pathways in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) are simplified by three cylindrical pipes connected to a liquid water reservoir representing the catalyst layer (CL). The droplet dynamics, corner film dynamics, and the competition between the film and droplet flows in the GC are explored in detail. The results show that the three-phase contact line plays an important role in resisting the gas drag force for a droplet movement in the GC. The gas drag force can dominate the film flow along the GC corners, and a proper selection of the contact angle of the GC sidewalls is necessary to balance two requirements: increasing the film removal ability and removing the water clogging fast. The competing mechanisms of the droplet and film flows give us the possibility to regulate liquid water flow into GCs, and maybe lead to a better water management in GCs. Finally, the results from this work also serve to provide insights into the development of a phenomenological model for the liquid water flooding in GCs.