Stochastic Aspects of Mass Transport in Gas Diffusion Layers

The relationship between the 3D morphology of gas-diffusion layers (GDL) of HT-PEFCs and their functionality is analyzed. A stochastic model describing the microstructure of paper-type GDL is combined with the Lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) to simulate gas transport within the GDL microstructure. Virtual 3D microstructures representing paper-type GDL are generated by a stochastic model, where the binder morphology is systematically modified. On these structures, single phase single component gas flow is computed by the LBM. Quality criteria evaluating the spatial homogeneity of gas supply are introduced and related to the binder morphology. The spatial homogeneity of the gas supply is analyzed by a parametrized stochastic model describing the gas flow at the exit of the GDL. This approach gives insight into the spatial structure of the gas flow at the GDL exit. The quality of gas supply is quantified by characterizing size and arrangement of regions with high gas supply. This stochastic gas flow model predicts the quality of gas supply for further binder morphologies. Analyzing the quality criteria and the stochastic evaluation of the spatial structure of the gas flow field at the GDL exit, it is found that the binder morphology has an essential influence on the gas supply.