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Effects of three-dimensional type flow fields on mass transfer and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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  • Sun, Feng
  • Su, Dandan
  • Li, Ping
  • Lin, Fanxin
  • Miu, Guodong
  • Wan, Qi
  • Yin, Yujie

Abstract

Developing state-of-the-art bipolar plate structures, to optimize fluid distribution, is essential to achieve better cell performance. In this paper, a three-dimensional model of PEMFC is developed and two cathode-side flow field structures are designed: two-dimensional and three-dimensional types. The two-dimensional type is the traditional “bipolar plate + gas diffusion layer” flow field structure, easily resulting in uneven distribution of reactant gas and other problems. This study describes three novel three-dimensional type flow fields (metal foam, fine-mesh, and wire-mesh). Through comprehensive performance analysis using numerical simulations, it is found that the three-dimensional type flow fields significantly improve mass transfer and output performance compared to two-dimensional type flow fields. The proposed three-dimensional type flow fields create forced convective fluid flow. It further enhances the diffusion dispersion of reactant gas, thus making fuller use of the active region. Among them, the wire-mesh flow field shows the best performance in terms of oxygen distribution, water distribution and electrical properties. The net output power density produced is 0.75068 W cm−2, higher than parallel flow field by 32.78%.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Feng & Su, Dandan & Li, Ping & Lin, Fanxin & Miu, Guodong & Wan, Qi & Yin, Yujie, 2024. "Effects of three-dimensional type flow fields on mass transfer and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:295:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224008831
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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