Effect of different flow field designs and number of channels on performance of a small PEFC

Limjeerajarus, Nuttapol; Charoen-amornkitt, Patcharawat

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.04.007

Cited by 106 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In addition, the tapered design increases the under-rib flow and velocity at the outlet, which enhances the water removal, thus improving the mass transport of oxygen. Limjeerajarus et al 24 numerically tested the effects of the number of channels on the performance of the PEM fuel cells. They concluded that decreasing the channel and rib widths enhances the performance of the fuel cell, achieving a uniform reactant distribution and an efficient product removal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

2019

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Summary New serpentine and spiral flow field configurations were developed to enhance the performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The new configurations are based on two primary concepts, namely, narrowing the flow field and partitioning the total active area of the fuel cell. Three flow channel heights of 0.8, 0.4, and 0.2 mm were investigated in serpentine and spiral flow fields. The main active area is considered a single zone and is partitioned into two‐ and four‐zone designs while maintaining the total inlet mass flow rate of the reactant and oxidant. To determine the performance parameters of the newly proposed designs, a three‐dimensional single‐phase isothermal model was developed, numerically simulated, and validated through experimental measurements. The findings of the current study indicate that a serpentine flow field configuration with a channel height of 0.2 mm and two zones attains an enhancement of the net power density of 37% compared to a conventional single‐zone design with a flow channel height of 0.8 mm. Similarly, for a spiral flow field design, the maximum net power density increased by 26% using a two‐zone configuration with a channel height of 0.2 mm, in comparison to the conventional design of a single‐zone and a flow channel height of 0.8 mm. The newly developed designs utilize the lower height of the flow fields to decrease the dimensions of the fuel cell stacks and reduce the material costs required.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their results showed an increase in the limiting current density and maximum power density. Limjeerajarus et al 24 numerically tested the effects of the number of channels on the performance of the PEM fuel cells. They concluded that longer channels are better for a uniform reaction and greater performance for small-sized fuel cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

2019

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“…CB works as a gas diffuser and mechanical support to protect CL on compression, and it hinders MPL ink penetration dur-ing MPL-coated GDL preparation, whereas it causes liquid water to be accumulated within the pore in the absence of the MPL [9]. Such GFFs practically improve the PEMFC performance at high current densities [5,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. On the other hand, new gas flow fields (GFFs), such as porous foam and felt, were recently proposed to replace conventional channel/ land type GFFs (e.g., serpentine GFCs) that induce a high pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet, and the in-plane water flow from the land to the channel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, new gas flow fields (GFFs), such as porous foam and felt, were recently proposed to replace conventional channel/ land type GFFs (e.g., serpentine GFCs) that induce a high pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet, and the in-plane water flow from the land to the channel. Such GFFs practically improve the PEMFC performance at high current densities [5,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Yet, porous substrates that allow the CL to be more homogeneously compressed still require CB to construct a layered-structure MPL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Self‐supporting Microporous Layer on a Metal Mesh for Carbon Backing‐free Cathodes in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2018

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A self‐supporting microporous layer (MPL) that is directly applicable to a metal mesh is developed, and its pore characteristics and surface morphology are investigated using scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The PEMFC performance is evaluated according to the cathode flow field type and GDL configurations via polarization, AC‐impedance spectroscopy, and 4‐point probe measurements for the bulk resistance. The improvement in the polarization when using the MPL on the metal mesh is discussed in terms of the water management and electrical resistance at the cathode.

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“…Gas flow-fields on the bipolar plates are one of the main components which affect the performance and lifetime of the PEM fuel cell [6,7]. Therefore, the flow-field design plays an important role for fuel cell performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Spiral Flow‐Field Design on the Performance of a PEM Fuel Cell

2017

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Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising energy converters due to their unique features with an application potential for many sectors. The performance of PEM fuel cells depends on a number of factors, one of which is suitable flow‐field design. In this study, the effect of spiral flow‐field design is investigated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The model consists of the transport phenomena in a fuel cell. Electrochemical reactions, mass, heat, energy, species transport, and potential fields equations are solved by ANSYS‐FLUENT. The polarization and power density curve, temperature, pressure, and distributions of the gases inside the flow‐fields were obtained. The results were compared with the reference geometry. Although the spiral flow‐field has considerable ohmic losses, the velocity and pressure distributions of the gases are found to be uniform. Furthermore, it is shown that the spiral flow‐field reduces the pressure drop per unit length of the flow‐field. When compared to other flow‐field designs, the spiral flow‐field is found to be quite efficient by means of auxiliary power consumption.

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Effect of different flow field designs and number of channels on performance of a small PEFC

Cited by 106 publications

References 31 publications

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

Development of a Self‐supporting Microporous Layer on a Metal Mesh for Carbon Backing‐free Cathodes in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Investigation of Spiral Flow‐Field Design on the Performance of a PEM Fuel Cell

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