Simulation of pressure effect on oxygen in the cathode for the PEM Fuel Cell

In order to understand the pressure effect on oxygen mass fraction in the cathode for the PEM(Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell, a model was set up by three conservation equations, and it was considered the Gravity in source item. The modeling domain consists of the membrane, two catalyst layers, two diffusion layers, and two channels. It is simulation of species mass fraction in this paper. The results of simulation were drawn six pictures. On analyzing of pictures, it got conclusion as follow: Oxygen mass fraction increases along with pressure increasing in channel. When the case is anode-upward, gravity exerts effect on the liquid water transport. The gravity is helpful for water transport from anode to cathode leading to the water mass fraction increase and oxygen mass fraction decrease. Oxygen mass fraction in cathode of fuel cell with anode-upward is lower than that with cathode-upward because of the effect of gravity.