Virtual cloud computing–based and 3D multi-physics simulation for local oxygen starvation in PEM fuel cell.

In this paper, the effects of load and air-flow change on a serpentine multi-channel proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) were studied through numerical simulation and cloud computing technology. For this purpose, load change, air-flow change pattern and initial value, as well as its lag time to the load change, were considered. The transient response of local oxygen distribution to load change and flow change was investigated, and the local oxygen starvation (LOS) behavior observed. Detailed results are presented to show the transient response of the cell in terms of average oxygen concentration and water content distribution. This work shows that the local oxygen starvation process depends on factors such as load changes and air-flow rate of change, which can be alleviated or eliminated by adjusting air flow and pattern. It is also shown that simulation efficiency can be improved by cloud computing technology. Finally, the validity of the numerical model proposed in this paper is verified by the comparison between the model results and experimental data. • Using cloud computing for numerical simulation can reduce the solution time by 99%. • The effect of control-oriented operating conditions on local oxygen starvation is analyzed. • A mitigation strategy that can reduce the area ratio of LOS by 18% is summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]