Numerical Validation of Water Transport in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

Water transport phenomena under non-isothermal conditions was numerically investigated by modeling the through-plane water transport across a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), sandwiched between two gas diffusion layers (GDLs). The model predictions of water thickness distribution under various thermal gradient and relative humidity were compared with our latest high resolution neutron radiography (NR) experimental data. The numerical model was able to predict water flux direction and the general trend in water content gradient in the PEM. Improvement in the prediction accuracy was sought through investigation into material and transport properties.