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A three-dimensional modeling of transport phenomena of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with various flow fields

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  • Chiu, Han-Chieh
  • Jang, Jer-Huan
  • Yan, Wei-Mon
  • Li, Hung-Yi
  • Liao, Chih-Cheng

Abstract

In this work, a two-phase three-dimensional numerical transport model based on the two-fluid method for the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with parallel flow field, interdigitated flow field, and serpentine flow field has been presented to study the cell performance and transport phenomena in the PEMFCs. The effects of width, height and aspect ratio of the flow channel on the cell performance and water removal with different flow fields are under investigation. Results show the liquid water removal increases as the channel height decreases, however, the cell performance decreases as well. It is also found that the cell performance decreases as the channel width increases in parallel flow field due to lower gas velocity with less water removal. The effect of channel aspect ratio approximate to 1 is particularly studied in this paper. It reveals that the cell performance is better as the channel cross-section area is smaller because of higher gas velocities.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiu, Han-Chieh & Jang, Jer-Huan & Yan, Wei-Mon & Li, Hung-Yi & Liao, Chih-Cheng, 2012. "A three-dimensional modeling of transport phenomena of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with various flow fields," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 359-370.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:96:y:2012:i:c:p:359-370
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.02.060
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    5. Wang, Bowen & Deng, Hao & Jiao, Kui, 2018. "Purge strategy optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with anode recirculation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 1-13.
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    8. Cheng, Shan-Jen & Miao, Jr-Ming & Wu, Sheng-Ju, 2013. "Use of metamodeling optimal approach promotes the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 161-169.
    9. Pandu Ranga Tirumalasetti & Fang-Bor Weng & Mangaliso Menzi Dlamini & Chia-Hung Chen, 2024. "Numerical Simulation of Double Layered Wire Mesh Integration on the Cathode for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, January.
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    12. Li, Wenkai & Zhang, Qinglei & Wang, Chao & Yan, Xiaohui & Shen, Shuiyun & Xia, Guofeng & Zhu, Fengjuan & Zhang, Junliang, 2017. "Experimental and numerical analysis of a three-dimensional flow field for PEMFCs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 278-288.
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    14. Xie, Biao & Zhang, Hanyang & Huo, Wenming & Wang, Renfang & Zhu, Ying & Wu, Lizhen & Zhang, Guobin & Ni, Meng & Jiao, Kui, 2023. "Large-scale three-dimensional simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell considering detailed water transition mechanism," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    15. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2015. "A three-dimensional numerical investigation of trapezoid baffles effect on non-isothermal reactant transport and cell net power in a PEMFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 81-95.
    16. Guodong Zhang & Zhen Guan & Da Li & Guoxiang Li & Shuzhan Bai & Ke Sun & Hao Cheng, 2023. "Optimization Design of a Parallel Flow Field for PEMFC with Bosses in Flow Channels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-26, July.
    17. Duan, Z.N. & Qu, Z.G. & Wang, Q. & Wang, J.J., 2019. "Structural modification of vanadium redox flow battery with high electrochemical corrosion resistance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 1632-1640.
    18. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    19. Jiao, Kui & Bachman, John & Zhou, Yibo & Park, Jae Wan, 2014. "Effect of induced cross flow on flow pattern and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 75-82.
    20. Guo, Hang & Liu, Xuan & Zhao, Jian Fu & Ye, Fang & Ma, Chong Fang, 2016. "Effect of low gravity on water removal inside proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with different flow channel configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 926-934.
    21. Elisabetta Arato & Marzia Pinna & Michela Mazzoccoli & Barbara Bosio, 2016. "Gas-Phase Mass-Transfer Resistances at Polymeric Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Electrodes: Theoretical Analysis on the Effectiveness of Interdigitated and Serpentine Flow Arrangements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-16, March.
    22. Saeidfar, Asal & Yesilyurt, Serhat, 2023. "Numerical investigation of the effects of catalyst layer composition and channel to rib width ratios for low platinum loaded PEMFCs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    23. Yang, Woo-Joo & Wang, Hong-Yang & Lee, Dae-Hyung & Kim, Young-Bae, 2015. "Channel geometry optimization of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell using genetic algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1-10.
    24. Li, Hong-Wei & Liu, Jun-Nan & Yang, Yue & Fan, Wenxuan & Lu, Guo-Long, 2022. "Research on mass transport characteristics and net power performance under different flow channel streamlined imitated water-drop block arrangements for proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    25. Singdeo, Debanand & Dey, Tapobrata & Gaikwad, Shrihari & Andreasen, Søren Juhl & Ghosh, Prakash C., 2017. "A new modified-serpentine flow field for application in high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 13-22.

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