
282 Fuel Cells
order to estimate the charge transport or electrical current in the electrode
and electrolyte layers, it is necessary to solve the electrical potential equa-
tion. This is analogous to the solution of the temperature eld from the heat
equation before estimating the heat transfer rate through a medium based on
the temperature gradient.
As we have discussed in Chapter 5, the electrical double layer, as depicted
in Figure 7.1, plays a critical role in the distribution of electrical potential
at the electrode–electrolyte interfaces and to the ion transport through the
electrolyte from the anode side to the cathode side. Figure 7.1 sho ...