Investigation of Membrane Thickness Effects on PEM Fuel Cell Performance Using OpenFOAM

Abstract:

This study investigates the effect of membrane thickness on proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance through high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the open-source platform OpenFOAM. Seven membranes with thicknesses of 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 127, and 183 μm were evaluated to generate polarization and power density characteristics. Results reveal that membrane thickness exerts a substantial influence on PEMFC efficiency, with thinner membranes reducing ohmic resistance and enhancing proton conductivity, albeit with trade-offs related to water management and gas crossover. The findings underscore the necessity of optimizing membrane thickness to achieve an optimal balance between efficiency, durability, and operational stability, offering valuable insights for the design and development of next-generation PEMFC systems.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 179)
• Pages: 77-83
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-sMLY89
• Online since: June 2026
• Authors: Chayanid Seanglumlert, Arom Boekfah, Machimontorn Promtong, Yodsadej Kanokmedhakul, Wonsiri Punurai, Chakrit Suvanjumrat*
• Keywords: CFD, Fuel Cell, Membrane, OpenFOAM, PEM, Thickness

References

[1] M. Pan, C. Pan, C. Li and J. Zhao: Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. Vol. 141 (2021), p.110771.

[2] D. Cai, Y. Zhou, B. Wang, Y. Ke, B. Xiao, L. Hu, Q. Liu, X. Fu, X. Li, K. Geng and N. Li: J. Membrane Sci. Vol. 83-87 (1992), p.119.

[3] M.B. Karimi, F. Mohammadi and K. Hooshyari: Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. Vol. 44 (2019), p.28919.

[4] H.J. Choi, H.J. Choi, J. Kim, H. Choi, C. Chu, I. La, C.Y. Ahn, H. Shim, O.H. Kim and Y.H. Cho: Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. Vol. 119 (2025), p.161.

[5] C. Suvanjumrat, C. Seanglumlert, J. Sripongpun, T. Permpol, J. Priyadumkol, A. Boekfah, Y. Kanokmedhakul, M. Promtong and W. Punurai: Lect. Notes. Electr. En. Vol. 1434 (2025), p.39.

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-8154-9_5

[6] S. Li, R. Wei, G. Zhang, Y. Qi, G. Yang and Q. Shen: Int. J. Electrochem. Sc. Vol. 15 (2020), p.4138.

[7] S. Mohanty, A.N. Desai, S. Singh, V. Ramadesigan and M. Shaneeth: Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. Vol. 46 (2021), p.20650.

[8] G. Varghese, B.K.P. Venkatesh, T.V. Joseph and P. Chippar: Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. Vol. 47 (2022), p.33014.

[9] A. d'Adamo, L. Martoccia, F. Croci and C. Marra: Int. J. Heat Mass Tran. Vol. 249 (2025), p.127207.

[10] S. Hamedi, A. Basem, M.M. Al-Zahiwat, A.K. AL-Hamairy, D.J. Jasim, S. Salahshour and Sh. Esmaeili: Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Vol. 60 (2024), p.104760.

DOI: 10.1016/j.csite.2024.104760

[11] F.A. Neerob, U. Pasaogullari and M.A. Uddin: Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. Vol. 151 (2025), p.150216.

[12] S. Zhang, S. Hess, H. Marschall, U. Reimer, S. Beale and W. Lehnert: Comput. Phys. Commun. Vol. 298 (2024), p.109092.

[13] E. Chaichanasiri and C. Suvanjumrat: Kasetsart Journal (Natural Science) Vol. 46 No. 6 (2012), p.162.

[14] C. Suvanjumrat and K. Loksupspaiboon: Engineering Journal Vol. 24 No. 2 (2020), p.109.

[15] S. Chokngamvong and C. Suvanjumrat: Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Vol. 49 (2023), p.103351.

[16] K. Loksupspaiboon and C. Suvanjumrat: Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Vol. 47 (2023), p.103050.

[17] K. Loksupspaiboon and C. Suvanjumrat: Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics Vol. 16 No. 1 (2022), p.1619–1640.

[18] Y. Shen, H. Yang, J. Fu and X. Sun: Energ. Vol. 313 (2024), p.134033.