Hydrogen Mass Transport in Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Electrodes

Abstract

Abstract An oxygen transport model derived for limiting current density operation was employed to explore its use for hydrogen transport. Limiting current data obtained from a variety of fuel cell designs (alkaline, proton exchange membrane, sulphuric acid) demonstrated the model's validity and allowed determination of the hydrogen mass transport coefficient, a key cell performance parameter. Under specific operating conditions, the proposed model is consistent with the continuous stirred tank reactor and the logarithmic mean concentration difference models. The proposed model is preferable because it is more general and derived from a specific physical mechanism. Experimental precautions needed to ensure well‐defined limiting currents without the presence of artefacts were reemphasized and expanded. Model use for predictive purposes is also briefly discussed.

Key findings

• ▸The proposed model is valid for hydrogen transport and can be used to determine the hydrogen mass transport coefficient.
• ▸The model is consistent with the continuous stirred tank reactor and logarithmic mean concentration difference models under specific operating conditions.
• ▸The model is more general and physically based compared to other transport models.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1002/fuce.201000092

Journal

Fuel Cells

Year

2011