Humid properties of proton exchange membrane fuel cells and methods for moisture transference

PEMFC's performance is close with its humidity. The paper studied various factors affecting PEMFC's moisture balance. The moisture content will increase while the current density goes up; and the current density for keeping the fuel cell's moisture balance should increase with the humidity rising; The gas from the cathode should be humidified to lessen the loss from its electric resistance. The paper analyzed the fundamentals of its moisture transference. In order to utilize water produced by internal reaction, water should be managed. While water management can only achieve insufficient moisture, the fuel cell should be humidified. The paper compared different modification methods with one another. With the help of mathematical modeling, the paper simulated the PEM fuel cell's interior processes. It is predicted that the interior modification had PEMFC avoid the gases' cross-over and then the fuel cell's performance would not degrade.