An inverse geometry design problem for optimization of single serpentine flow field of PEM fuel cell

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 4247 - 4257
• Main Authors: Wang, Xiao-Dong, Huang, Yu-Xian, Cheng, Chin-Hsiang, Jang, Jiin-Yuh, Lee, Duu-Jong, Yan, Wei-Mon, Su, Ay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cathodes; Channels; Convection; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Mathematical models; Optimization; Proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Serpentine; Serpentine flow field; Simplified conjugate-gradient method; Transport; Simplified conjugate-gradient method; Proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Serpentine flow field; Optimization; Geometry; method; Cathode; Performance; Flow field; Current density; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Simplified conjugate-gradient; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.02.059

The cathode flow-field design of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) determines its reactant transport rates to the catalyst layer and removal rates of liquid water from the cell. This study optimizes the cathode flow field for a single serpentine PEM fuel cell with 5 channels using the heights of channels 2–5 as search parameters. This work describes an optimization approach that integrates the simplified conjugated-gradient scheme and a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal fuel cell model. The proposed optimal serpentine design, which is composed of three tapered channels (channels 2–4) and a final diverging channel (channel 5), increases cell output power by 11.9% over that of a cell with straight channels. These tapered channels enhance main channel flow and sub-rib convection, both increasing the local oxygen transport rate and, hence, local electrical current density. A diverging, final channel is preferred, conversely, to minimize reactant leakage to the outlet. The proposed combined approach is effective in optimizing the cathode flow-field design for a single serpentine PEMFC. The role of sub-rib convection on cell performance is demonstrated.