Three-dimensional multi-phase simulation of cooling patterns for proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on a modified Bruggeman equation

A three-dimensional multi-phase non-isothermal model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is developed based on a modified Bruggeman equation. The developed model is validated with experimental results and it shows the modified model can more accurately simulate actual working conditions of PEMFC at medium and high current density. The influences of different cooling patterns on the performances of PEMFC are explored. Results reveal that different gas flow patterns have roughly the same effect on the temperature distribution of the membrane in the case of the cooling water counter-current flowing. Under the counter-current gas flow pattern, pattern 3 is the best cooling pattern, that is to keep the cooling water flow direction consistent with the cathode gas flow direction. Under the co-current gas flow pattern, pattern 6 is the best cooling pattern, that is to keep the cooling water flow direction consistent with the gas flow direction. Meanwhile, the temperature distribution of the cathode and the anode is basically symmetrical at the interface of the cathode gas diffusion layer and the cathode catalyst layer. Additionally, the optimal cooling patterns need to ensure the cooling water co-current flowing, and it has obvious advantages of system integration and cost reduction.