Effects of Different Channel Geometries of Metallic Bipolar Plates on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance

Raquel Busqué (), Matias Bossio, Albert Brigido and Antoni Lara
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Raquel Busqué: Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Product Innovation & Multiphysics Simulation Unit, Av. Universitat Autònoma, 23, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
Matias Bossio: Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Product Innovation & Multiphysics Simulation Unit, Av. Universitat Autònoma, 23, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
Albert Brigido: Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Product Innovation & Multiphysics Simulation Unit, Av. Universitat Autònoma, 23, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
Antoni Lara: Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Product Innovation & Multiphysics Simulation Unit, Av. Universitat Autònoma, 23, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of different channel geometries on the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). The study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupled with thermal and electrochemical simulations to analyze five channel geometries (cases A to E) of bipolar plates. A thorough study on this topic is not found in the literature and aims to identify designs that optimize performance and align with cost-effective production methods. Among the various studied geometries, case D, featuring a trapezoidal cross-section, exhibited the most favorable performance compared to the others, with a current density value of 2.01 A/cm 2 and a maximum temperature of 74.89 °C at 0.3 V, leading to an increase in generated power of 4.46%, compared to base case A. The trapezoidal shape enhanced the contact area with the reacting region, resulting in higher reaction rates and an improved overall performance. However, the study also highlights the relevance of velocity and turbulence, with case B demonstrating an enhanced performance due to its higher velocity, and case E benefiting from localized higher velocity regions and turbulence created by baffles. Case B can increase generated power at its peak by around 3.21%, and case E can improve it by 1.29%, with respect to case A. These findings underscore that contact area has a major impact on the PEMFC performance, but velocity and turbulence also play relevant roles. Additionally, trapezoidal channels can be easily manufactured through sheet metal-forming techniques, aligning well with new market trends of weight and cost reduction on bipolar plates. Fuel and oxygen utilization percentages, 38.14% and 62.96% at 0.3 V, respectively, further confirm the superiority of trapezoidal channels, providing insights into optimizing the PEMFC performance. This exhaustive study contributes valuable information for designing efficient metallic bipolar plates and advancing the development of practical fuel cell technologies.

Keywords: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell; computational fluid dynamics; electrochemical simulation; channel geometry; bipolar plates (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 complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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