Multi-phase simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with 3D fine mesh flow field

Abstract

Summary A three‐dimensional (3D) multi‐phase numerical model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is built. The catalyst layer (CL) spherical agglomerate model is used to replace traditional homogenous model, which can predict the concentration loss in PEMFC more accurately. Utilizing this multi‐phase model, the PEMFC with 3D fine mesh flow field is investigated at length, and the liquid water distribution in 3D flow field is qualitatively compared with the experimental image in previous literature. It is found that the 3D fine mesh flow field can improve the reactant gas supply from flow field to porous electrodes significantly and facilitate liquid water removal in PEMFC simultaneously. Therefore, it reduces the concentration loss of PEMFC effectively without increasing the pumping power loss thanks to the greatly increased mass transfer area between gas diffusion layer (GDL) and flow field and vertical flow design of hydrogen and air, which also make the reaction rate distribution in CL more uniform. However, the decreased contact area between GDL and bipolar plate in 3D flow field may decrease PEMFC performance at the current densities where ohmic loss is dominated, but its effect is insignificant.

Parameters extraction of PEMFC's model using manta rays foraging optimizer

“…The PEMFC is applied to improve the performance of switched reluctance motor drives application in . Moreover, it is extensively applied to the distribution networks . Also, it is implemented in microgrid applications .…”

“…9 Its operating temperature lies in the range [50-100 C] and the efficiency of PEMFC varies between 30% and 60% under environmental conditions. 9,10 There are many applications of the PEMFC in industrial applications. The PEMFC is applied to improve the performance of switched reluctance motor drives application in.…”

“…11 Moreover, it is extensively applied to the distribution networks. 9 Also, it is implemented in microgrid applications. 12 In addition, the PEMFC is used in several domestic applications.…”

Experimental study and mitigation of abnormal behavior of cell voltage in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack

“…Hydrogen starvation can be avoided by ensuring uniform hydrogen distribution . Many methods can make the flow inside the fuel cell more uniform, such as design microdistributor, obstacles, and 3D fine mesh flow field . In addition, increasing the hydrogen content in the anode flow channel downstream is an important choice for management strategies.…”

“…16 Many methods can make the flow inside the fuel cell more uniform, such as design microdistributor, 17 obstacles, 18 and 3D fine mesh flow field. 19 In addition, increasing the hydrogen content in the anode flow channel downstream is an important choice for management strategies. Jia et al 20 demonstrated the effect of a hydrogen reservoir on hydrogen starvation and found that it can mitigate hydrogen starvation.…”