Multiphase Modeling and Carbon Corrosion in PEM Fuel cells

Professor Keith Promislow

Michigan State University

Department of Mathematics

Multiphase flow and carbon corrosion are key issues in the modeling of PEM fuel cells. We present an analytic reduction of the full multiphase equations which permits a semi-analytic solution to the slow transient multiphase flow within the gas diffusion electrode. When coupled to models for the membrane, catalyst layer, and gas flow channels, the result is a model capable of capturing the transients associated with water accumulation in the GDL, membrane, and channel under start-up and shut-down transient operation. We show validation against experiment and demonstrate hysteresis in cyclic voltammograms. We also present a model of carbon corrosion and present results from an anode-understoich operating condition.

Friday, October 26, 2007

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Rm. 1500 EECS