A three-dimensional model for evaluating the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell to reduce the waste of hydrogen

In the present study, a numerical model has been utilized to investigate the effects of operating parameters on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell in co-current and countercurrent patterns. The model considers the three-dimensional governing equations involve continuity, momentum, mass, electrode kinetics and potential fields across the channel of fuel cell. The coupled equations of the proposed model are then solved using the finite element method. The simulation results were validated with previous reported experimental data. In the results obtained from the model, the effect of variables such as temperature, pressure and length of channel on the current density of electrodes and the amount of waste hydrogen have been studied. It was found that at constant voltage, increasing the temperature from 60 to 90°C, raises the current density by 19.4%. At similar conditions, an increase in pressure from 1 to 5 atm, improves the fuel cell current density by 26.9%. In addition, with voltage drop across the channel, hydrogen consumption increases.