Oxygen Transfer Model in Cathode GDL of PEM Fuel Cell for Estimation of Cathode Overpotential
Authors
Somkiet Aunvong
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok
Terdthai Vathanatham
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok
Sunun Limtrakul
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok
Keywords:
gas diffusion layer, cathode overpotential, polarization curve, oxygen transfer
Abstract
The mathematical model involving kinetics and mass transfer in a PEM fuel cell cathode is developed in two dimensions assuming only diffusion transport in oxygen mass transfer. The model calculates oxygen concentration profile which provides current density. At each current density along with experimentally obtained parameters, i.e., cathode transfer coefficient, and exchange current density, the cathode overpotential can be estimated. The cell potential can also be estimated from the calculated overpotential in combination with Ohmic resistance obtained from the experimental data. The cell potential predicted from the model give a good fit in verification with the experimental data.
