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Numerical analysis of global and local performance variations of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with different bend layouts and flow directions

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  • Zhang, Xian-Wen
  • Wang, Xue-Jian
  • Cheng, Xiao-Zhang
  • Jin, Lei
  • Zhu, Jian-Wei
  • Zhou, Tao-Tao

Abstract

In this work, a three-dimensional multi-component transport CFD model is established to discuss the discrepancies of local distributions under channels and ribs based on the serpentine flow field. Globally, increment of activation loss in the gas diffusive layer takes more effects on catalytic activity than decrease of oxygen concentration. Locally, current density under the channels and ribs is more affected by activation loss and oxygen concentration, respectively. Then the performance of four serpentine flow fields with different bend layouts and flow directions were compared according to the mean value and variance of current density and membrane water content on the cathode membrane surface. The results show that the current density on the membrane surface of the serpentine flow field with non-overlapping bends is more uniform and the standard deviation is about 6.25% lower than that of the overlapping bend. Co-flow has some advantages in uniformity of water content distribution on the cathode membrane surface, and the standard deviation is about 12.6% lower than that of the counter-flow. For large-scale and multi-channels serpentine flow field, the serpentine flow field with non-overlapping bends and co-flow has better application than other three types.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Xian-Wen & Wang, Xue-Jian & Cheng, Xiao-Zhang & Jin, Lei & Zhu, Jian-Wei & Zhou, Tao-Tao, 2020. "Numerical analysis of global and local performance variations of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with different bend layouts and flow directions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:207:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220312482
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rostami, Leila & Haghshenasfard, Masoud & Sadeghi, Morteza & Zhiani, Mohammad, 2022. "A 3D CFD model of novel flow channel designs based on the serpentine and the parallel design for performance enhancement of PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    2. Jiang, Ke & Zhao, Taotao & Fan, Wenxuan & Liu, Zhenning & Lu, Guolong, 2023. "Ramped step flow field to enhance mass transfer capacity and performance for PEMFC," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P2).
    3. Ouyang, Tiancheng & Lu, Jie & Xu, Peihang & Hu, Xiaoyi & Chen, Jingxian, 2022. "High-efficiency fuel utilization innovation in microfluidic fuel cells: From liquid-feed to vapor-feed," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    4. Zhang, Yong & He, Shirong & Jiang, Xiaohui & Wang, Zhuo & Yang, Xi & Fang, Haoyan & Li, Qiming & Cao, Jing, 2024. "Investigation on performance of full-scale proton exchange membrane fuel cell: Porous foam flow field with integrated bipolar plate/gas diffusion layer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    5. Najmi, Aezid-Ul-Hassan & Anyanwu, Ikechukwu S. & Xie, Xu & Liu, Zhi & Jiao, Kui, 2021. "Experimental investigation and optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using different flow fields," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    6. Cai, Yonghua & Wu, Di & Sun, Jingming & Chen, Ben, 2021. "The effect of cathode channel blockages on the enhanced mass transfer and performance of PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    7. Gong, Fan & Yang, Xiaolong & Zhang, Xun & Mao, Zongqiang & Gao, Weitao & Wang, Cheng, 2023. "The study of Tesla valve flow field on the net power of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    8. Yu, Zhongshuai & Liu, Fang & Li, Chengzhang, 2023. "Numerical study on effects of hydrogen ejector on PEMFC performances," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    9. 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).

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