Numerical Analysis of Phenomena Transport of a Proton Exchange  Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Yusuf Dewantoro Herlambang; Fatahul Arifin; Kurnianingsih; Totok Prasetyo; Anis Roihatin

Authors

Yusuf Dewantoro Herlambang Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Fatahul Arifin Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Kurnianingsih Department of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Totok Prasetyo Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Anis Roihatin Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50275, Indonesia

Keywords:

PEM fuel cell, low temperature, current distribution, numerical simulation

Abstract

The investigation the PEM fuel cell under various conditions was carried out through numerical simulation. The results revealed that the mass transport resistance, the ionic resistance, and charge transfer resistance defined the current distribution in the cathode catalyst layer. The highest current distribution in the cell was determined by the highest depletion of oxygen concentration in the exit side of the channel, and the amount of the reacted and carried oxygen towards the electrode surface of the mass transfer conditions. Among all simulation conditions, the current density on the shape gas channel with the channel ratio height-width 1:1 and 2:1 was 1,061 and 1,078 A/m2 , respectively, with the power density of the cell was 3,714 W/m2 and 3,776 W/m2 , respectively.