3-D multiphysics simulation on electrolyte membrane dehumidification considering the real air channel and collection layer structures

•3-D multiphysics model was developed for PEM-based dehumidificer considering real structures of multilayers.•The parameters changed rapidly in first 200s during start-up, and attaining stable at 1200 s.•As air flowrate and voltage doubled, the start-up time of system was reduced by 50% and 67%.•Highest temperature and lowest humidity of airflow occurred at the anode-side corner away from the inlet.•The structure of anode collector showed significant effect on field distributions of PEM dehumidifier.