Approaches for the modeling of PBI/H3PO4 based HT-PEM fuel cells

Abstract

Modeling and simulation of all components of high temperature polymer electrolyte (HT-PEM) fuel cells are important tools to provide additional understanding of the operation behavior. The use of mathematical models is one possibility for analyzing species concentrations, temperature gradients, and pressure distributions for predicting the internal workings of HT-PEM fuel cells for different operating conditions and designs. This work reviews phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) and HT-PEM fuel cell modeling and simulation activities since both technologies are very similar. The current state-of-the-art PAFC and HT-PEM fuel cell technology is overviewed. Selected literature is discussed and dedicated modeling equations listed. Next, electrolyte modeling and simulation possibilities are highlighted including the physicochemical properties of phosphoric acid (H3PO4), description of the vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE), non-equilibrium effects at the interphase, and the coupling to electrochemistry and mass transport properties. Finally, numerical aspects are shortly presented, examples of practical implications given, and input parameters and experimental data for model validation listed.