Modelling approach for planar self-breathing PEMFC and comparison with experimental results

Schmitz, Andreas; Ziegler, Christoph; Schumacher, Jürgen; Tranitz, Marco; Fontes, Ed; Hebling, Christopher

doi:10.1002/fuce.200400034

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Modelling approach for planar self-breathing PEMFC and comparison with experimental results
Authors:	Schmitz, Andreas Ziegler, Christoph Schumacher, Jürgen Tranitz, Marco Fontes, Ed Hebling, Christopher
DOI:	10.1002/fuce.200400034
Published in:	Fuel Cells
Volume(Issue):	4
Issue:	4
Page(s):	358
Pages to:	364
Issue Date:	7-Dec-2004
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Wiley
ISSN:	1615-6846 1615-6854
Language:	English
Subjects:	Self-breathing; PEMfc; Fuel cells; Modelling
Subject (DDC):	621.3: Electrical, communications, control engineering
Abstract:	This paper presents a model-based analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a planar design for the power supply of portable applications. The cell is operated with hydrogen and it consists of an open cathode side allowing for passive, self-breathing operation. This planar fuel cell is fabricated using printed circuit board (PCB) technology. Long-term stability of this type of fuel cell has been demonstrated. A stationary, two-dimensional, isothermal, mathematical model of the planar fuel cell is developed. Fickian diffusion of the gaseous components (O2, H2, H2O) in the gas diffusion layers and the catalyst layers is accounted for. The transport of water is considered in the gaseous phase only. The electrochemical reactions are described by the Tafel equation. The potential and current balance equations are solved separately for protons and electrons. The resulting system of partial differential equations is solved by a finite element method using FEMLAB (COMSOL Inc.) software. Three different cathode opening ratios are realized and the corresponding polarization curves are measured. The measurements are compared to numerical simulation results. The model reproduces the shape of the measured polarization curves and comparable limiting current density values, due to mass transport limitation, are obtained. The simulated distribution of gaseous water shows that an increase of the water concentration under the rib occurs. It is concluded that liquid water may condense under the rib leading to a reduction of the open pore space accessible for the gas transport. Thus, a broad rib does not only hinders the oxygen supply itself, but may also cause additional mass transport problems due to the condensation of water.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/11597
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Licence according to publishing contract
Departement:	School of Engineering
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Computational Physics (ICP)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen School of Engineering

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Schmitz, A., Ziegler, C., Schumacher, J., Tranitz, M., Fontes, E., & Hebling, C. (2004). Modelling approach for planar self-breathing PEMFC and comparison with experimental results. Fuel Cells, 4(4), 358–364. https://doi.org/10.1002/fuce.200400034

Schmitz, A. et al. (2004) ‘Modelling approach for planar self-breathing PEMFC and comparison with experimental results’, Fuel Cells, 4(4), pp. 358–364. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/fuce.200400034.

A. Schmitz, C. Ziegler, J. Schumacher, M. Tranitz, E. Fontes, and C. Hebling, “Modelling approach for planar self-breathing PEMFC and comparison with experimental results,” Fuel Cells, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 358–364, Dec. 2004, doi: 10.1002/fuce.200400034.

SCHMITZ, Andreas, Christoph ZIEGLER, Jürgen SCHUMACHER, Marco TRANITZ, Ed FONTES und Christopher HEBLING, 2004. Modelling approach for planar self-breathing PEMFC and comparison with experimental results. Fuel Cells. 7 Dezember 2004. Bd. 4, Nr. 4, S. 358–364. DOI 10.1002/fuce.200400034

Schmitz, Andreas, Christoph Ziegler, Jürgen Schumacher, Marco Tranitz, Ed Fontes, and Christopher Hebling. 2004. “Modelling Approach for Planar Self-Breathing PEMFC and Comparison with Experimental Results.” Fuel Cells 4 (4): 358–64. https://doi.org/10.1002/fuce.200400034.

Schmitz, Andreas, et al. “Modelling Approach for Planar Self-Breathing PEMFC and Comparison with Experimental Results.” Fuel Cells, vol. 4, no. 4, Dec. 2004, pp. 358–64, https://doi.org/10.1002/fuce.200400034.