Optimization Design of a Parallel Flow Field for PEMFC with Bosses in Flow Channels

Guodong Zhang, Zhen Guan, Da Li, Guoxiang Li (), Shuzhan Bai (), Ke Sun () and Hao Cheng
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Guodong Zhang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Zhen Guan: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Da Li: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Guoxiang Li: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Shuzhan Bai: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Ke Sun: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Hao Cheng: School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-26

Abstract: The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a promising energy conversion device due to its high reliability, fast response speed, and low pollutant emission. However, the reality of its commercial application requires further cost reduction and efficiency improvement. The material distribution in the channel and the performance of PEMFC can be improved by setting the boss inside the flow channels. In this paper, the performance of PEMFC with the boss in flow channels in a parallel flow field was analyzed by simulation. The influence of different boss arrangements and heights on gas pressure drop, distribution uniformity, gas component distribution, temperature distribution, and output performance of the fuel cell were analyzed in detail. The bosses would increase the pressure drop and the distribution uniformity of reactive gases in flow channels significantly. The cross-arrangement of bosses is better than the cross-arrangement of bosses and juxtaposition according to increasing performance and pressure drop. The cross-arrangement with a boss height of 0.4 mm is suitable for the parallel flow field in this paper. The improved scheme of flow channel design is proposed to provide a reference for fuel cells for subsequent research.

Keywords: parallel flow field; PEMFC; boss; pressure drop (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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