Development of numerical simulation tools for modeling humidification in hydrogen fuel cells

氢燃料电池是一种利用氢气和氧气发电的装置，在下一代低温室气体排放汽车中有望取代内燃机。燃料电池内部部件的加湿程度对其性能有很大影响。因此，为了理解和预测新的和新颖的燃料电池设计的影响，需要考虑燃料电池每一层中的水传输的数值模型。该项目的主要目标是开发新的工具，以了解和预测加湿对燃料电池性能的影响。为实现这一目标，该项目将分为两部分：(1)开发新的数学和数值模型；(2)利用实验测量对数值模型进行校准。新技术的发展 具有校准参数的数学和数值工具将使科学家和公司能够精确地模拟氢燃料电池的行为，并通过考虑两相水传输效应来确定设计优化机会。工业合作伙伴将能够使用在该项目期间开发的数字工具来不断改进他们的氢燃料电池系统产品。最后，加拿大将从该项目中受益，因为它涉及氢能源部门高素质人员的培训，也因为它对加拿大蓬勃发展的燃料电池工业作出了贡献。

Hydrogen fuel cells are devices that generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, and they are serious candidates to replace internal combustion engines in the next generation of low GHG emission vehicles. Fuel cells performance is strongly affected by the humidification level of its inner components. Hence, numerical models that take into account water transport in each layer of the fuel cell are required in order to understand and predict the impact of new and novel fuel cell designs. The main objective of that project is to develop new tools for understanding and predicting the impact of humidification on fuel cell performance. To reach that objective, the project will have two parts: (i) development of new mathematical and numerical models, and (ii), calibration of the numerical models by using experimental measurements. The development of new mathematical and numerical tools with calibrated parameters will allow scientists and companies to simulate with precision the behaviour of hydrogen fuel cells, and to identify design optimization opportunities by taking into account two-phase water transport effects. The industrial partner will be able to use the numerical tools developed during that project to constantly improve their hydrogen fuel cell system products. Finally, Canada will benefits from that project because it involves the training of highly qualified personnel in the hydrogen energy sector, and because it contributes to the fuel cell industry that is flourishing in Canada.