The products generated by the electrochemical reaction in the PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) are mainly concentrated in the flow field on the cathode side of the bipolar plate, and the oxygen introduced on the cathode has higher requirements to improve its diffusion performance by using the flow field structure. For this reason, the optimization of the cathode flow field of the PEMFC is essential. Inspired by the structure of a spider web, this paper proposes a novel spider-web-type flow field. In this kind of flow field, the shape of a polygonal structure and the number of layers of spiral flow channels are the two most crucial variables. In order to explore the impact of these two variables on the cathode flow field, complete three-dimensional PEMFC models with different values of the two variables were established, and the models were simulated by the method of CFD. By observing the results of oxygen distribution, the water removal performance and fuel cell output performance of different schemes, the optimal scheme of the polygonal structure and layer number are determined. Compared with the traditional flow field, it is proved that the optimization scheme is desirable in improving the performance of the cathode flow field in PEMFC.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have received considerable attention in recent years as an efficient method of utilizing hydrogen energy. In PEMFCs, the bipolar plate is an important component, and flow channel design plays an important role in reaction gas distribution and product removal. Based on the circular bipolar plate structure, a new radial flow channel design scheme is proposed in this paper. This scheme adopts a central inlet method, where the gas enters from the center of the flow field and then diffuses around, and the adjacent flow channels transfer the reaction gas and products through the holes located in the middle of the ribs. The number of rib floors and the number and arrangement of holes on each rib floor are selected as the key variables of this structure, and PEMFC monomer models with differences in the above variables are established and then simulated by the CFD method. After a comparative analysis of the difference in oxygen distribution, water removal and cell output performance of each scheme, a comprehensive optimal design for this radial flow channel structure is finally proposed.
As a critical component, the bipolar plate appreciably affects the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The flow field structure on the bipolar plate is significant in transporting the internal reaction gas and excess water. In the nature, the leaf veins provide efficient branch networks to the plant, contributing to distribute the nutrients in the whole system. By bionic means, a similar branching structure can be used to design flow channels on the bipolar plates for PEMFC, which helps distribute the reactant gas evenly and manage the water better. In this paper, a three-dimensional isothermal single phase model of the bio-inspired flow channel design based on the leaf vein pattern was presented. The effect of the angle between the main channel and sub-channels on the performance of PEMFC was studied at various cases. A PEMFC of 10.24cm2 activation area was assembled and examined experimentally. The results showed that increasing the angle appropriately was beneficial to improving the uniform oxygen distribution and excess water removal. After comprehensively analyzing the electrochemical performance, species distribution, and power loss of PEMFC, the optimal angle was presented.
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