Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Advisor 1
Jeffrey S. Allen
Committee Member 1
Kazuya Tajiri
Committee Member 2
Youngchul Ra
Committee Member 3
Rajesh K. Ahluwalia
Abstract
A unique network architecture that captures the microstructural heterogeneity and predicts the local transport properties of PEMFC catalyst layers is proposed. Separate networks containing numerous cylindrical elements and nodes are generated that represent the solid and pore phase of the catalyst layer. Transport resistances are assigned to the elements while the nodes are volumeless. The networks are interlinked through nodes where local properties are stored. The generated computational grid's macroscopic behaviors (percolation behavior, gas diffusivity, and ion conductivity) will be matched against the experimental data for validation. Diffusion-like transport equations are applied to the networks that provide local water balance, active reaction sites, temperature distribution, and concentration of the species in the catalyst layer at various fuel cell operating scenarios. The proposed modeling approach can be used as a manufacturing guideline and testing tool for fuel cell catalyst layers.
Recommended Citation
Alam, Shahriar, "CAPTURING MICROSTRUCTURAL HETEROGENEITY AND PREDICTING LOCAL TRANSPORT PHENOMENA IN PEMFC CATALYST LAYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK MODELING APPROACH", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2023.