| The fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that produces electricity based on an electrochemical reaction. From the diverse types of fuel cell the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has better performance. Applications for this type of fuel cells are mostly in the transportation area where it serves as alternative power generation system [1]. Several researchers have found that the principal pivotal limitation in the performance in PEMFC is located at the cathode catalyst layer (CL) where oxygen reduction reaction takes place [11-14]. At high electric current density, water vapor, which is the product of this reaction, reach the condensation pressure and precipitate as liquid water reducing the active area of the CL. Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) is inserted next to the catalyst layer in order to assist the CL with water drainage, trying to maintain the active area free of liquid. The present study will perform a 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional analysis of the water saturation in a GDL based in Darcy's law macroscopic approach, using the Unsaturated Flow Theory (UFT) and modeling the pressure in terms of water saturation with the experimental correlation called Leverett Function. Additionally, it will analyze in 1-dimension the effect of inserting Multiple Layers such as micro porous layers (MPL) and the influence of its morphological properties in the water transport.;This study also takes into account the effect of evaporation occurring close to the gas channel. The two phases are model as singles phases using the assumption that one movement mechanism at the time which was either as liquid water or vapor. It was found that the evaporation thickness increases at higher temperatures and decrease at higher gas channel relative humidity. |
