Summary
This article proposes an idea of using the multi‐inlet divergent inlet in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) to replenish the reaction gas for the main flow channel. New cathode flow field models such as the divergent flow field and the confluent flow field are developed and analyzed to mitigate some bad influences caused by the linear consumption of the reaction gas. The single layer PEMFC models are developed and simulated by using the ANSYS FLUENT software. Then, the performances and flow characteristics of PEMFC models are compared, and different inlet flow ratios are optimized in the multi‐inlet design scheme. Finally, the results show good improvements of the performance and water removal effect while reducing the pressure drop.
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.
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