WATER AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT IN SOLID-POLYMER-ELECTROLYTE FUEL-CELLS

A mathematical model of transport in a solid-polymer-electrolyte fuel cell is presented. A two-dimensional membrane-electrode assembly is co nsidered. Water management, thermal management, and utilization of fue l are examined in detail. Because the equilibrium sorption of water be tween the gas phase and the polymer-electrolyte depends strongly on te mperature, water and thermal management are interrelated. The rate of heat removal is shown to be a critical parameter in the operation of t hese fuel cells.