Estimation of water distribution and degradation mechanisms in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell gas diffusion layers using a 3D Monte Carlo model

Understanding of both water management in PEM fuel cells and degradation mechanisms of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and their mutual impact is still at least incomplete. Different modelling approaches contribute to gain deeper insight into the processes occurring during fuel cell operation. Considering the GDL, the models can help to obtain information about the distribution of liquid water within the material. Especially, flooded regions can be identified, and the water distribution can be linked to the system geometry. Employed for material development, this information can help to increase the life time of the GDL as a fuel cell component and the fuel cell as the entire system. The Monte Carlo (MC) model presented here helps to simulate and analyse the water household in PEM fuel cell GDLs. This model comprises a three-dimensional, voxel-based representation of the GDL substrate, a section of the flowfield channel and the corresponding rib. Information on the water distribution within the substrate part of the GDL can be estimated.