Experimental study on non-uniform arrangement of 3D printed structure for cathodic flow channel in PEMFC

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 1192 - 1201
• Main Authors: Choi, Sung Hoon, Kang, Dong Gyun, Lim, In Seop, Lim, Hyun Sung, Park, Chanyeong, Kim, Min Soo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 05.01.2022
• Subjects: 3D printed structure; Channel volume fraction; IV curve; Non-uniform arrangement; PEMFC (Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell); Non-uniform arrangement; Channel volume fraction; 3D printed structure; IV curve; PEMFC (Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell)
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.10.059

Enhancing mass transfer capability of flow channel is important subject to improve fuel cell performance. In this study, an experimental study about non-uniform arrangement of metallic structures in cathodic flow channel on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is conducted. Metallic 3D printer is used to manufacture 3D mesh with complex geometry. Channel width and bottom-rear channel depth are selected to change the geometry of structure. Assuming that accelerating flow velocity and reinforcing flow direction to gas diffusion layer can improve fuel cell performance, eight basic arrangements are inserted into cathodic carbon bipolar plate to measure fuel cell performance. With I–V curve, the unit cells with non-uniform arrangements of width and tapered structure show performance enhancement of 12.8% in maximum power density, compared with conventional parallel flow channel. According to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results, performance enhancement by non-uniform arrangement is mainly occur in high current density operation due to low mass transfer resistance. •Two different design parameters of structure for flow channel are selected.•Uniform and non-uniform arrangements of flow channel are tested on PEMFC.•I–V curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test are used.•Performance enhancement is shown through non-uniformly designed bipolar plate.