An investigation into the minimum dimensionality required for accurate simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells by the comparison between 1- and 3-dimension models.

Hydrogen has been studied intensively as a potential energy carrier as it allows for a reduced carbon footprint in the environment. Fuel cell (FC) technology has been studied in detail to implement hydrogen as well as other renewable sources as a feasible fuel. Further development in fuel cell design is hampered by the lack of fundamental models which reveal the physical and chemical interactions. While computational fluid dynamics simulations are available, the timeframe for solving these simulations renders them unfeasible in any rigorous FC design optimisation. The objective of the present investigation was to determine the minimum dimension of a mathematical model that can accurately simulate processes occurring within a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). To this end, 1-D (directional axis perpendicular to the membrane) and 3-D steady state isothermal mathematical models were developed and simulated in order to investigate the transport of reactant species through the various layers of the cell at the anode side.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Shekhar, Karthik

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Rawatlal, Randhir
• Conrad, Olaf

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5400

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/5400