Abstract—A one dimensional model steady state model of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell to study the hydration of electrolyte membrane, diffusion of the water on the membrane and water transport in the membrane (electro osmotic drag and back diffusion) is presented. Initially the theoretical formulation of the process inside the PEMFC is done based on the electro chemical equation and reactions. The simulation of the theoretical electrochemical model presented in this study has been done on the MATLAB computational model. Results were compared with the experimental data to investigate the convergence between them and to validate the model in order of establishing confidence in the model when used with rather small FC stacks. The conclusions coming out of this study show that the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data and consequently this model can be reliably used.

Index Terms—Back diffusion, electro osmotic drag, water transport coefficient, proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Narender Kumar is Research Associate Physics Department, Rajiv Gandhi Technological University Bhopal (M.P) India - 462026.
Purnima Swarup Khare is Professor & Head of Physics Department Rajiv Gandhi Technological University Bhopal (M.P) India- 462026
Corresponding author (Email: drnarender78@gmail.com , Mobile No+91-9993419428)

Cite: Narender Kumar and Purnima Swarup Khare, "One Dimensional Steady State Model for Studying Hydration of Membrane in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell," International Journal of Applied Physics and Mathematics  vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 92-95, 2011.