CFD Analysis of Two-Phase Flow and Convective Heat Transfer in PEMFC Ducts

In this study, a three-dimensional computational method was developed to predict convective heat transfer combined with water phase change/two-phase flow in a PEMFC cathode duct. Momentum, heat transport and species equations have been solved by coupled source terms and thermo-physical properties of the multi-component mixture. Advanced boundary conditions are applied at the cathode duct external walls in the analysis, i.e., combined thermal boundary conditions of heat flux on the active surface and thermal insulation on the remaining solid walls. Moreover, effects of mass consumption and generation appearing on the active surface are implemented. The calculated results reveal that the thermal conditions at the interfaces vary along the main stream, and a big permeability of the porous layer promotes the bulk gas transport and the generated liquid water removal via the bottom interface between the flow duct and the porous layer, and a big convective heat transfer coefficient as well.