Design of a New Single-Cell Flow Field Based on the Multi-Physical Coupling Simulation for PEMFC Durability

Yuting Zou, Shiyang Hua (), Hao Wu, Chen Chen, Zheng Wei, Zhizhong Hu, Yuwei Lei, Jinhui Wang and Daming Zhou ()
Additional contact information
Yuting Zou: Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
Shiyang Hua: Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
Hao Wu: Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
Chen Chen: Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
Zheng Wei: Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute Co., Ltd., National Digital Publishing Base, No. 996, Tiangu 7th Road, High-Tech Zone, Xi’an 710077, China
Zhizhong Hu: Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
Yuwei Lei: Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute Co., Ltd., National Digital Publishing Base, No. 996, Tiangu 7th Road, High-Tech Zone, Xi’an 710077, China
Jinhui Wang: Shaanxi Xuqiangrui Clean Energy Co., Ltd., Longmen National Ecological Industry Demonstration Zone, Hancheng City 710016, China
Daming Zhou: School of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: The fuel cell with a ten-channel serpentine flow field has a low operating pressure drop, which is conducive to extended test operations and stable use. According to numerical results of the ten-channel serpentine flow field fuel cell, the multi-channel flow field usually has poor mass transmission under the ribs, and the lower pressure drop is not favorable for drainage from the outlet. In this paper, an optimized flow field is developed to address these two disadvantages of the ten-channel fuel cell. As per numerical simulation, the optimized flow field improves the gas distribution in the reaction area, increases the gas flow between the adjacent ribs, improves the performance of PEMFC, and enhances the drainage effect. The optimized flow field can enhance water pipe performance, increase fuel cell durability, and decelerate aging rates. According to further experimental tests, the performance of the optimized flow field fuel cell was better than that of the ten-channel serpentine flow field at high current density, and the reflux design requires sufficient gas flow to ensure the full play of the superior performance.

Keywords: proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC); flow field designs; enhance mass transfer; flow field improvement; serpentine flow field; pressure drop; drainage; numerical simulation (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 (2)

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