Approaches for Fuel Cell Stack Modeling and Simulation with COMSOL Multiphysics

This study highlights the possibility of using COMSOL Multiphysics ® for solving large sca le fuel cell stack models. First, the fluid flow behaviour and pressure distribution of fuel cell stacks with different number of cells is simulated, taking the full 3D Navier-Stokes equations into account. It is seen that the amount of fluid is not equally distributed throughout the cells within a stack. Second, a theoretical study of a complete 3D two cell high temperature PEM (HTPEM) stack is presented. This model geometry consists of all parts ranging form the aluminium endplates to the high temperature stable membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA). All governing equations are solved within the respective subdomains for typical operating conditions. Computational aspects are discussed regarding v3.5a and v4.0a of the software.