A Numerical Simulation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance

A composite three-dimensional mathematical model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell is proposed, the corresponding finite element method and numerical simulation are given as well, where fluid flow, proton transport, and electrochemical reaction are addressed. Some factors that probably affect the performance of the cell are analyzed by using the model. The computational results show that the reactant concentration decreases along the flow direction, the water concentration increases in the cathode side of membrane, membrane resistance decreases, conductivity increases and proton concentration increases. The fuel cell performance is better when the porosity increases, as well as the operating pressure.