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This article presents the results of a numerical investigation, using a comprehensive two-dimensional, single phase, non-isothermal and parallel flow model of a PEM fuel cell with straight channels. The proposed model is single domain and both of the anode and the cathode humidification were involved in the domain. In this research, the cathode pressure variation effect on the inlet gas composition (water and oxygen), temperature distribution, molar concentration of species and fuel cell performance were investigated. Also for two low cell voltages (which leads to high current densities), the temperature distribution along the cell has been obtained. Additionally, species distribution such as hydrogen (at the anode side), oxygen and water (at the cathode side) and cathode over potential for various cell voltages have been presented with more details. Furthermore in order to geometrically investigation, three cases with different membrane thicknesses were simulated. Similar boundary conditions employed in mentioned geometries. The results showed that the fuel cell with higher membrane thickness has low performance because ion conductivity resistance increases as the membrane thickness grows up. Finally the numerical results of proposed CFD model have been compared with the available experimental data that represent good agreement.
PEMFC, Cathode pressure, Temperature distribution, over potential
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