Performance Improvement of a Single PEM Fuel Cell Using an Innovative Flow Field Design Methodology

• Published in: Arabian journal for science and engineering (2011) Vol. 45; no. 7; pp. 5143 - 5152
• Main Authors: Kahraman, H., Coban, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.07.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Barriers; Current distribution; Design optimization; Design standards; Diffusion effects; Diffusion layers; Electrolytic cells; Engineering; Flooding; Gas flow; Gaseous diffusion; Gases; Homogeneity; Humanities and Social Sciences; Leaves; multidisciplinary; Pressure drop; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Research Article-Mechanical Engineering; Science; Serpentine; Stress concentration; Temperature distribution; Nature-inspired design; Current density distribution; PEMFC; Flow field design
• ISSN: 2193-567X; 1319-8025; 2191-4281
• DOI: 10.1007/s13369-020-04368-y

Flow fields of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are used to feed reactant gases over the surface of catalyst layer homogeneously and remove byproduct, water. Optimization of the flow field design would improve homogeneity of the gas distribution and pressure drop values resulting in higher power density values. Flow field designs inspired from veins of tree leaves have been analyzed and tested. A mathematical model has been conducted for verifying the experimental results. A decrease in pressure drop and homogeneous distribution of gasses without flooding was observed with our novel designs. The dimensions of the flow channels were selected based upon tree leaves that obey Murray’s law. Semi cylindrical obstacles were fabricated on the ground to direct the gas flow to the gas diffusion layer. The effect of these obstacles was observed at high current values. The cell performance and current density–temperature distribution analysis showed performance improvement up to 42.1% in comparison with the standard serpentine design. Homogeneity of current and temperature distributions was also improved with the proposed design. Additionally, water removal was improved with the current design.