Comparison of Feeding Gas Strategies (Co- and Counter-Flow) in a PEM Fuel Cell Through a Pseudo 2D Diphasic Water Model

The purpose of this study is to establish a simple model representing diphasic water flows in a single cell PEM fuel cell in order to improve fuel cell control. The pseudo-2D model describes the water transfers from one electrode to the other, all along the feeding gas channels. Both vapor and liquid water are considered. The location of first appearance of liquid water can be noticed. The influence of the feeding gas strategies (co- and counter-flow) on the water distribution in the cell are investigated. As a consequence, with the counter-flow feeding gas strategy, water is better distributed in the whole cell, but flooding of the electrode may occur. With a co-flow feeding gas strategy flooding risks are lower, but water distribution in the cell is less homogeneous and could result in a early deterioration of the membrane by drying.