EFFECT OF GAS DIFFUSION LAYER DEFORMATION UNDER BOLT TORQUE ON ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCE OF PEMFC

Li Jiawen; Su Tongze; Chu Jun; Tan Jinzhu

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0298

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Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (7) : 373-381. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0298

EFFECT OF GAS DIFFUSION LAYER DEFORMATION UNDER BOLT TORQUE ON ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCE OF PEMFC

Li Jiawen, Su Tongze, Chu Jun, Tan Jinzhu

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Abstract

Based on the finite element method, a three-dimensional single-channel numerical model of a PEMFC was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics multiphysics simulation software, with a focus on investigating the deformation behavior of the gas diffusion layer （GDL） under bolt torque and its subsequent impact on the electrochemical performance of the PEMFC. The simulation results indicate that when the bolt torque reaches 1 N·m, the GDL begins to intrude into the flow channel, and the intrusion depth increases significantly with rising bolt torque, leading to a reduction in the effective cross-sectional area of the flow channel, increased gas transport resistance, and an elevated risk of flooding. Furthermore, bolt torque induces a pronounced non-uniform distribution of GDL porosity between the regions under the flow-field ribs and those beneath the flow channels, which in turn gives rise to spatially inhomogeneous distributions of oxygen concentration, water content, and current density. This ultimately reduces the mass transfer efficiency of the PEMFC and may even cause permanent damage to the cell performance. The study further reveals that as the bolt torque increases, the maximum power density of the fuel cell exhibits a trend of first increasing and then decreasing; when the GDL intrusion effect is taken into account, the peak power density of the fuel cell is achieved at a bolt torque of 2.5 N·m.

Key words

proton exchange membrane fuel cells / electrochemical properties / porosity / gas diffusion layer / finite element

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Li Jiawen, Su Tongze, Chu Jun, Tan Jinzhu. EFFECT OF GAS DIFFUSION LAYER DEFORMATION UNDER BOLT TORQUE ON ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCE OF PEMFC[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(7): 373-381 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2025-0298

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