Transport phenomena inside and across membrane in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has emerged as an eminent technology to address today’s growing energy crisis and environmental issues. PEMFC technology faces multiple challenges before widespread commercialization. Water transport inside a PEMFC has a significant impact on the cell performance and durability. In this internship a numerical model is implemented to study the transport phenomena inside and across the membrane of a PEMFC. The numerical model will be used to investigate the effects of cell operating temperature and current on water distribution on both cathode and anode sides, as well as inside the membrane. The present internship will expand the modelling capabilities of FC-APPOLO, an in-house open-source application package for simulation of performance and durability of PEMFC developed by Ballard power systems.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Erik Kjeang

Student:

Abhishek Nanjundappa

Partner:

Ballard Power Systems Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Energy

University:

Simon Fraser University