Library Subscription: Guest

ISSN Online: 2377-424X

ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-421-2

International Heat Transfer Conference 15
August, 10-15, 2014, Kyoto, Japan

Multiscale Modeling Approaches of Transport Phenomena in Fuel Cells

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHTC15.kn.000026
pages 461-478

Abstract

Modeling is of key importance in fuel cell development beyond the current-state-of-the-art because it is beneficial to understand the mechanisms of various interacting phenomena and effects on the cell performance. It is also hard to measure the local parameters inside fuel cells, particularly inside the small scale functional materials. Modeling and simulation of charge transfer and electrochemical performance are critical to enable optimization of the geometry and performance. For macroscale modeling, the micro- and nano-structure related properties defining a porous media, e.g., the porosity and tortuosity and the specific area available for surface reactions are required. Thus the coupling of models valid at various scales is important for continued progress in the development of fuel cells. Within this paper both macroscale and micro-/nanoscale modeling approaches are presented for the fuel cell types SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) and PEMFC (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell). In particular the electrodes, electrolyte and unit cells are considered. Some relevant results are provided.