Clean, quiet, reusable and efficient are words used to describe fuel cell technology as an alternative power source in transportation, power generation and consumer electronics. Our multiphysics software package, CFD-ACE+ provides the ideal environment to conceptualize, analyze and optimize the fundamental fuel cell components and systems. For the fuel cell designer, CFD-ACE+ can be used to investigate:
- Voltage-current characteristics for fuel cells (polarization curves)
- Overpotential and loss mechanisms
- Temperature distribution and thermal stress
- Species concentrations and water management (liquid and vapor distributions)
- Effects of pressure, relative humidity, temperature, porosity, tortuosity and catalyst loading
- Fuel manifold distribution in stack-level design
- And much more!
CFD-ACE+ is being used to model Proton Exchange Membrane (PEMFC), Solid Oxide (SOFC) and Direct Methanol (DMFC) fuel cells.
Distinctive Strengths of CFD-ACE+
- Fully integrated, tightly coupled model of the fundamental physics of fuel cells including: flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, current transfer and electrochemistry in porous media, thermal stress
- User defined functions (UDF) are not required
- Electrochemistry in porous media volume performed using dual potential formulation
- Built-in membrane models
- All functionality is fully controllable through an advanced graphical user interface (GUI)
- Extensive built-in parametric and optimization tools
Related links
Fuel Reforming, Catalytic Converters
PEM Fuel Cells
Fundamental Layered Structure of a Flat PEM Fuel Cell
Click for animation
3D Simulation of Liquid Water Formation and Transport in a PEM Fuel Cell
Simulated vs. Experimentally Measured Cell Polarization Curves
Isosurfaces of Saturation Variable in a
Straight Channel PEM Fuel Cell
CFD-ACE+ provides an unique capability to rigorously model the fundamental physics of PEM fuel cells. The software has built-in models that account for (without requiring user defined functions):
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Phase change (evaporation/condensation)
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Electro-osmotic drag
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Capillary action in the porous media due to surface tension
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Fluid acceleration in the porous media
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Electrochemical reactions
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Diffusion in the catalyst and gas diffusion layers
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Membrane physics, Nafion 117 membrane already built-in
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Heat transfer
CFD-ACE+ can help the fuel cell design engineer investigate the following issues related to PEM fuel cells:
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Membrane (de)hydration, water (liquid & vapor) formation and transport
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Effect of relative humidity, temperature and pressure on cell performance
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Losses in various regions of membrane electrode assembly
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Effect of porosity, tortuosity and catalyst loading on cell performance
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Cutaway View of Tubular SOFC
Close-Up of Tubular SOFC
Click on image for larger view
Electric Potential on Surface of Anode and Cathode
Temperature on Surface of Solid Parts
Tubular SOFC Polarization Curve
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) use a hard ceramic electrolyte instead of a liquid and operate at temperatures around 1,000 degrees C. Because of the high temperatures and use of a ceramic electrolyte, there are some unique design challenges associated with SOFCs. CFD-ACE+ provides the ideal multiphysics approach to conceptualize, analyze and optimize the SOFC.
CFD-ACE+ can be utilized by a fuel cell designer to investigate:
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Electrode overpotential losses and polarization behavior
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Efficiency of fuel utilization
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Temperature distribution and thermoelastic stress
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Geometry and operating conditions and their effects on performance
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Fuel cell stack and system level performance
Related links
Fuel Reforming, Catalytic Converters
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Methanol Concentration Demonstrating the Methanol Crossover Effect
Overpotential Distribution in the Catalyst Layer
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) utilize a membrane as an electrolyte and produce electricity directly from liquid methanol, eliminating the need for a fuel reformer. CFD-ACE+ provides the ideal multiphysics approach to conceptualize, analyze and optimize the DMFC.
CFD-ACE+ can be used by a DMFC designer to investigate:
- Electrode overpotential losses and polarization behavior
- Efficiency of fuel utilization
- Power density and temperature distribution
- Methanol crossover effect
- Void fraction distributions
- Cathode catalyst poisoning by methanol
- Utilization of catalyst
- Geometry and operating conditions and their effects on performance
- Fuel cell stack and system level performance
Related links
Fuel Reforming, Catalytic Converters
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