The pemfcFOAM solver is based on OpenFOAM v7 that can be downloaded under: https://openfoam.org/version/7/
The development is based on the pemfcSinglePhaseModel-4.0, which is published under CC BY 4.0 under: https://unnc.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/3gz7pxznzn/1 (DOI: 10.17632/3gz7pxznzn.1)
This model is a 3-D, non-isothermal and single-phase flow model for simulation of PEM fuel cells. Assumptions of the electrochemical model are:
- steady-state operating condition
- gas flow: laminar and incompressible, ideal gas
- fuel cell components: isotropic and homogenous
- electrochemical reaction is modelled at cathode catalyst layer membrane interface (2D)
- membrane: fully humidified, impermeable to reactant gases
- anode: activation overpotential and mass transport losses are neglegted
- ohmic heating not considered
The pemfcSinglePhaseModel-4.0 was updated from OpenFOAM v4 to OpenFOAM v7. Some inconsistencies in the code concerning modelling of porous media, gas mixture on anode side, source term of energy equation and possibility for parallel calculation have been fixed.
New implentations are:
- implementation of coolant flowfield and MPL properties
- more realistic membrane humidity: average of anode and cathode relative humidity
- considering anode activation overpotential
- implementation of Butler-Vollmer equation (assumption: alpha equal on anode and cathode) for modelling of activation overpotential of anode and cathode
- implementation of hydrogen crossover
- implementation of "postProcessing" functionality of OpenFOAM
- implementation of "fvOption" functionality of OpenFOAM (e.g. fixed values can be defined)
A schematic description of the pemfcFoam solver and the convergence procedure are illustrated below.
At the moment there is no formal documentation of the pemfcFOAM solver beside this README file available. An example is prepared as described below. A journal publication is planned in future.
The pemfcFoam solver can be used in OpenFOAM v7.To get started the OpenFoamZSWPemfcToolbox has to be copied to user home directory. Then OpenFOAM version must be loaded and the pemfcFoam code can be compiled by running Allwmake.
An examplary case for the pemfcFOAM solver is prepared. It decribes a single channel model of ZSW 300 cm² automotive design (graphite BPP) operated under automotive operating conditions. The detailed description can be found in the Description_Example_pemfcFoam.pdf file.
- Conference Presentation (Oral)
S. Schneider (Corresponding author), F. Wilhelm, J. Scholta, L. Jörissen, M. Koprek
Advancement and validation of OpenFOAM PEMFC toolbox on automotive PEMFC design
19th Symposium on Fuel Cell and Battery Modeling and Experimental Validation - MODVAL, Duisburg, Germany, 21 Mar 2023 - 23 Mar 2023 - Conference Presentation (Poster)
S. Schneider (Corresponding author), F. Wilhelm, J. Scholta, L. Jörissen, M. Koprek
Advancement of an OpenFOAM PEMFC toolbox and its validation an an automotive cell design
18th Ulm Electrochemical Talks - UECT, Ulm, Germany, 14 Jun 2023 - 15 Jun 2023
2023_UECT_Poster_OpenFOAM_PEMFC - Journal
Schneider, S.; Wilhelm, F.; Scholta, J.; Schüttoff, M.; Jörissen, L. Further Development of an OpenFOAM LT-PEMFC Toolbox and Its Validation on an Automotive Fuel Cell Design. Energies 2025, 18, 4793. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18184793
The toolbox was developed within the ASI-Project. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport (grant number: 03B10103), the “AutoStack-Industrie” joint project with 10 industry partners was launched to develop a high-performance fuel cell stack suitable for series production for automotive applications and was successfully completed in 2022.
Related links:
https://www.now-gmbh.de/en/projectfinder/autostack-industrie/
https://www.zsw-bw.de/en/research/fuel-cells/topics/modelling-and-simulation.html