Articles techniques et présentations

This study highlights the possibility of using COMSOL Multiphysics for solving large scale PEM fuel cell stack models in the order of several million degrees of freedom (DOF). First, different gas flow channel configurations are solved in order to highlight the fluid flow and pressure behaviour. For these models, the full 3D Navier-Stokes equations are solved. It is seen that the amount of fluid is not equally distributed throughout the different cells within a stack. Based on these results, a second theoretical study of a complete 3D PEM two cell stack model is presented. The model geometry consists of all parts, ranging form the heated aluminium endplates to the membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA). For the two cell stack model, all governing equations (momentum, mass, charge, energy transport) are solved within the respective subdomains for typical operating conditions and results discussed.