Effects of three-dimensional type flow fields on mass transfer and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Feng Sun, Dandan Su, Ping Li, Fanxin Lin, Guodong Miu, Qi Wan and Yujie Yin

Energy, 2024, vol. 295, issue C

Abstract: Developing state-of-the-art bipolar plate structures, to optimize fluid distribution, is essential to achieve better cell performance. In this paper, a three-dimensional model of PEMFC is developed and two cathode-side flow field structures are designed: two-dimensional and three-dimensional types. The two-dimensional type is the traditional “bipolar plate + gas diffusion layer” flow field structure, easily resulting in uneven distribution of reactant gas and other problems. This study describes three novel three-dimensional type flow fields (metal foam, fine-mesh, and wire-mesh). Through comprehensive performance analysis using numerical simulations, it is found that the three-dimensional type flow fields significantly improve mass transfer and output performance compared to two-dimensional type flow fields. The proposed three-dimensional type flow fields create forced convective fluid flow. It further enhances the diffusion dispersion of reactant gas, thus making fuller use of the active region. Among them, the wire-mesh flow field shows the best performance in terms of oxygen distribution, water distribution and electrical properties. The net output power density produced is 0.75068 W cm−2, higher than parallel flow field by 32.78%.

Keywords: PEMFC; Three-dimensional model; Cathode flow field; Mass transfer; Performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:295:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224008831

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131111

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