Performance degradation and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells depend strongly on transport and deformation characteristics of their components especially the polymer membrane. Physical properties of membranes, such as ionic conductivity and Young’s modulus, depend on the water content that varies significantly with operating conditions and during transients. Recent studies indicate that cyclic transients may induce hygrothermal fatigue that leads to the ultimate failure of the membrane shortening its lifetime and, thus, hindering the reliable use of PEM fuel cells for automotive applications. In this work, we present two-dimensional simulations and analysis of coupled deformation and transport in PEM fuel cells to improve the understanding of membrane deformation under steady-state and transient conditions. A two-dimensional cross section of anode and cathode gas diffusion layers, and the membrane sandwiched between them is modeled using Maxwell–Stefan equations for species transport in gas diffusion layers, Biot’s poroelasticity, Darcy’s law for deformation and water transport in the membrane, and Ohm’s law for ionic currents in the membrane and electric currents in the gas diffusion layers. Steady-state deformation and transport of water in the membrane, transient responses to step changes in load, and relative humidity of the anode and cathode are obtained from simulation experiments, which are conducted by means of a commercial finite-element package, COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: syesilyurt@sabanciuniv.edu
Article navigation
June 2010
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Research Papers
Modeling and Simulations of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells With Poroelastic Approach for Coupled Liquid Water Transport and Deformation in the Membrane
Serhat Yesilyurt
Serhat Yesilyurt
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences,
e-mail: syesilyurt@sabanciuniv.edu
Sabanci University
, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
Search for other works by this author on:
Serhat Yesilyurt
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences,
Sabanci University
, Istanbul 34956, Turkeye-mail: syesilyurt@sabanciuniv.edu
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Jun 2010, 7(3): 031008 (9 pages)
Published Online: March 11, 2010
Article history
Received:
July 7, 2008
Revised:
April 7, 2009
Online:
March 11, 2010
Published:
March 11, 2010
Citation
Yesilyurt, S. (March 11, 2010). "Modeling and Simulations of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells With Poroelastic Approach for Coupled Liquid Water Transport and Deformation in the Membrane." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. June 2010; 7(3): 031008. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3207869
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Optimization of Thermal Non-Uniformity Challenges in Liquid-Cooled Lithium-Ion Battery Packs Using NSGA-II
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November 2025)
In Situ Synthesis of Nano PtRuW/WC Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalyst for Acid Hydrogen Evolution by a Microwave Method
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November 2025)
Intelligently Constructing Polyaniline/Nickel Hydroxide Core–Shell Nanoflowers as Anode for Flexible Electrode-Enhanced Lithium-/Sodium-Ion Batteries
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November 2025)
State of Health Estimation Method for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Multifeature Fusion and BO-BiGRU Model
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November 2025)
Related Articles
Transport Phenomena Analysis in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
J. Heat Transfer (December,2005)
Electrical Performance of PEM Fuel Cells With Different Gas Diffusion Layers
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2011)
PEM Fuel Cell Dynamic Model With Phase Change Effect
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (November,2005)
Optimization of the Operating Parameters of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell for Maximum Power Density
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (May,2005)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Various Applications of the Membrane Theory
Stress in ASME Pressure Vessels, Boilers, and Nuclear Components
The Influence of a Magnetic Field on Corrosion of Steel
Corrosion of Electronic and Magnetic Materials
Makeup Water Treatment Plant Start-Up
Consensus on Pre-Commissioning Stages for Cogeneration and Combined Cycle Power Plants