The porous electrode in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell plays a key role in water-gas-electric-thermal transport. The gas diffusion layer microstructure deforms a lot under assembly force, which results in a change of transport properties. In the present study, a method based on FEA and CFD is proposed to simulate the transport properties of compressed GDL. The results show that the compression reduces the gas diffusivity and intrinsic permeability a lot. Conversely, the conductivity increases slightly due to more contact pairs appearing in the carbon matrix of GDL. The relative findings of the present study are helpful in understanding the transport phenomenon inside the porous electrode of PEMFC. Finally, it provides important guidance for the assembly force or torque design.
 

PEMFC, Transport properties, Compression