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Enhancement of water droplet drainage performance in a cathode flow channel with baffles for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

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  • Wang, Yulin
  • Wang, Han
  • Wang, Guozhuo
  • Li, Hua
  • Zhao, Yulong
  • He, Wei

Abstract

A reasonable design of flow channel is crucial for water management of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and thus the cell performance. This paper develops newly designed baffles on a cathode flow channel to boost the water droplet drainage ability. The water droplet drainage characteristics within the novel flow channel are investigated by using a volume of fluid (VOF) method. The results show that the baffle height and number have a significant impact on the water droplet drainage performance. An appropriately increased baffle height and number leads to a shorter water droplet drainage time with a relatively low pressure drop. The water droplet drainage time for baffle height and number of 0.25 mm and 7 is reduced to 8.5 ms from 22.5 ms compared with that for the conventional channel. However, a too large baffle height and number could yield a very large pressure drop, thereby causing the water droplet detachment from the GDL surface and finally adsorption to the sidewalls. An optimal non-uniform interval layout of baffles along the channel can further shorten the water droplet drainage time by 6.25%. These findings can guide the optimal design of flow channels with baffles for a high-performance fuel cell.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Yulin & Wang, Han & Wang, Guozhuo & Li, Hua & Zhao, Yulong & He, Wei, 2023. "Enhancement of water droplet drainage performance in a cathode flow channel with baffles for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:219:y:2023:i:p1:s0960148123013101
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.119395
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    References listed on IDEAS

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