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Optimization of Cooling Channel Structure of Bipolar Plate for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Based on CFD Analysis

Author

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  • Wenbin Wang

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Haoran Jia

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Guoxiang Li

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Wen Sun

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Ke Sun

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Shuzhan Bai

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Hao Cheng

    (School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China)

Abstract

The working temperature affects the performance of PEMFC, so a reasonable and efficient cooling channel is necessary to control the working temperature in an efficient area. In this study, the channel structure of the bipolar plate for PEMFC is analyzed using the FLUENT simulation calculation method. The influence of cell size and cooling water flow direction on cell temperature distribution is analyzed, including an examination of the channel ridge width, depth, and aspect ratio of the bipolar plate. After comparing and analyzing three ridge width sizes (0.5 mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm) in the paper, it was found that a ridge width of 2 mm had the best heat transfer performance. And it was found that a groove depth of 0.5 mm had the best heat transfer performance when comparing three groove depth dimensions (0.5 mm, 1 mm and 1.5 mm). The aspect ratio size parameters had almost no effect on the maximum and average temperatures of the electric stacks, while the relative flow direction of cooling water had a great influence on the temperature distribution of the bipolar plate.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenbin Wang & Haoran Jia & Guoxiang Li & Wen Sun & Ke Sun & Shuzhan Bai & Hao Cheng, 2023. "Optimization of Cooling Channel Structure of Bipolar Plate for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Based on CFD Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:16:p:5858-:d:1212544
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sasmito, Agus P. & Kurnia, Jundika C. & Mujumdar, Arun S., 2012. "Numerical evaluation of various gas and coolant channel designs for high performance liquid-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 278-291.
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