Two-phase flow in proton exchange membrane electrolysis and fuel cells: Recent advances in numerical simulations

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8484.2026.04.001

Abstract

Abstract:

Proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells (PEMEC) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are pivotal devices for the development and utilization of hydrogen energy. However, the similar yet highly complex internal gas-liquid two-phase transport phenomena significantly influence the electrochemical reaction processes and overall device stability. Due to the inherent limitations of conventional experimental techniques, numerical simulation has emerged as a powerful tool for elucidating two-phase transport mechanisms and optimizing water-gas management strategies. This paper provides a systematic review of research progress in the numerical simulation of two-phase flow in PEMEC/FC, offering a detailed comparison of the advantages, disadvantages, and applicable scales of mainstream models. Particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the impacts of operating parameters and component structural characteristics on the transport processes within flow channels and porous layers. Furthermore, regarding multi-scale simulations for half/full cells, this paper evaluates the current application status of macroscopic models and coupled frameworks, such as “VOF+UFT”, and finally, summarizes the current deficiencies in numerical models concerning dynamic boundary conditions and multi-scale coupling, and discuss the application prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) for future full-cell- or stack-level simulations.

Key words: proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell (PEMEC), proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), flow channel, gas diffusion layer (GDL), porous transport layer (PTL), gas-liquid two-phase flow, numerical simulation

CLC Number:

TK91

BAO Cheng, LIU Yuxuan, MI Shuodong. Two-phase flow in proton exchange membrane electrolysis and fuel cells: Recent advances in numerical simulations[J]. Journal of Automotive Safety and Energy, 2026, 17(4): 421-437.

Figures/Tables 12

References 78

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模拟方法	模型尺度	模拟优势	局限性	适用组件
混合物/双流体模型	宏观	计算效率高，适用于全电池及电堆级别的整体性能预测	无法捕捉相界面，难以描述气泡/液滴的动态演化细节	全电池、电堆
LBM	介观	并行计算效率高，在处理复杂几何边界方面具有显著优势	无法准确模拟气泡或液滴的成核及初期生长过程	CL、PTL/GDL
PNM	介观	计算成本低，可以实现厘米级大尺寸样品的模拟	孔隙结构过于简化，无法获得具体流动细节，实验验证困难	CL、PTL/GDL
相场法	介观	无需界面重构，在处理三相线移动及微观润湿现象上具有独特优势	界面解析依赖高密度网格，计算资源消耗相对较大	CL、PTL/GDL
VOF法	宏观、介观	精准捕捉相界面	网格精度要求高，计算成本大	CL、PTL/GDL、流道

模拟方法	模型尺度	模拟优势	局限性	适用组件
混合物/双流体模型	宏观	计算效率高，适用于全电池及电堆级别的整体性能预测	无法捕捉相界面，难以描述气泡/液滴的动态演化细节	全电池、电堆
LBM	介观	并行计算效率高，在处理复杂几何边界方面具有显著优势	无法准确模拟气泡或液滴的成核及初期生长过程	CL、PTL/GDL
PNM	介观	计算成本低，可以实现厘米级大尺寸样品的模拟	孔隙结构过于简化，无法获得具体流动细节，实验验证困难	CL、PTL/GDL
相场法	介观	无需界面重构，在处理三相线移动及微观润湿现象上具有独特优势	界面解析依赖高密度网格，计算资源消耗相对较大	CL、PTL/GDL
VOF法	宏观、介观	精准捕捉相界面	网格精度要求高，计算成本大	CL、PTL/GDL、流道