Three-dimensional Modeling of a Cathodic Half-polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

In this study، a three-dimensional model of a single fuel cell is considered. This modeling is done for a cathode half-fuel cell and consists of a parallel flow field، namely a cathode gas diffusion layer and a polymer membrane; it includes mass transfer at gas diffusion layer، electrochemical reaction at catalyst layer، and charge transfer in all the parts of fuel cell. Shoulder is considered in this model and thus concentration profile and charge distribution are more delicate. Governing equations are solved by FEMLAB software through the finite element method. This modeling could predict the behavior of fuel cell at different operation conditions by minimum cost. The performance of fuel cell is evaluated by different activation energies and، by comparing the results، the optimum operation condition is concluded.