The effects of compression on single and multiphase flow in a model polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell gas diffusion layer

A two-dimensional study of an idealised fibrous medium representing the gas diffusion layer of a PEMFC is conducted using computational fluid dynamics. Beginning with an isotropic case the medium is compressed uni-directionally to observe the effects on single and multiphase flow. Relations between the compression ratio and the permeability of the medium are deduced and key parameters dictating the changes in flow are elucidated. The main conclusions are that whilst compression reduces the absolute permeability of an isotropic medium, the creation of anisotropic geometry results in preferential liquid water pathways. The most important parameter for capillary flow, in uniformly hydrophobic media, is the minimum fibre spacing normal to the flow path. The effect is less pronounced with decreasing contact angle and non-existent for neutrally wettable media. •GDL compression simulated with simple 2D model using spherical cylinders.•Absolute permeability relation derived with excellent fit to data.•Anisotropy created in absolute permeability explained by fibre spacing normal to flow.•Preferential liquid pathways created when medium is compressed and explained by higher through-plane absolute permeability.