Numerical Investigation of Flow Channel Design and Tapered Slope Effects on PEM Fuel Cell Performance

Zhiming Zhang (), Sai Wu, Huimin Miao and Tong Zhang
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Zhiming Zhang: School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Sai Wu: School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Huimin Miao: School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Tong Zhang: School of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-15

Abstract: High-power proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell vehicles are important for the realization of carbon neutrality in transportation. However, it is difficult to maintain enough fuel supply and quick water removal capacity at a high current density where reactant gas transportation and water concentration are directly affected by flow channel configurations. This study aims to investigate the tapered slope effects of a flow channel on fuel cell performance using a 3-D CFD model. The positive, negative, zero and hybrid tapered slopes are proposed to illustrate the fuel cell voltage, reactant gas and water vapor concentration in the flow channels. Among them, the flow channel with a positive tapered slope performs better, especially at a high current density. Then, the positive tapered slope effects are discussed, including different tapered slopes, inlet depths and widths of flow channels. The results show that the larger the tapered slope, the smaller the depth and width, and the better the fuel cell performs; the corresponding current densities are increased by a maximum of 6.53%, 12.72% and 61.13%. The outcomes stated above provide a key direction for flow channel design that can particularly achieve higher fuel cell power density at high current densities.

Keywords: PEM fuel cell; high current density; 3-D CFD model; tapered slope; gas transportation; water removal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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