Simulation of Water Condensation in GDLs
GeoApp: Water Condensation
Targeted control of water distribution in the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) is essential in the development of high-performance fuel cells. In warm, humid conditions, water condenses directly in the GDL, directly affecting oxygen transport and the efficiency of the entire cell.
The Water Condensation GeoApp provides a tool to analyze the formation, growth, and coalescence of droplets in GDL in a realistic, high-resolution manner, including hydrophobic and hydrophilic material properties. So you can see how water droplets change transport paths and analyze which structural optimizations improve oxygen flow.
The method allows efficient simulation of numerous droplets, even in large GDL structures, with realistic interaction with fibers, binders, and the ribs of the bipolar plate. An approximation of the droplet shape is used for droplets smaller than the fiber diameter and contact angles above 30°.
GeoDict also provides powerful visualization options to analyze droplet growth over time, including showing it in a video.
Formation and growth of droplets
in a Gas Diffusion Layer
Droplet volumes are increased by 5% in each step,
in the example shown.
Coalescing of droplets is simulated
when droplets touch.
The droplets are shown after 5 (a), 20 (b),
and 30 (c) simulation steps.
A license is required for the following modules:
| Required module | SatuDict, SatuDict (Droplet Condensation) |