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Power Output Optimisation via Arranging Gas Flow Channels for Low-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles

Author

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  • James Chilver-Stainer

    (Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK)

  • Anas F. A. Elbarghthi

    (Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
    Department of Applied Mechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 1402/2, 46117 Liberec, Czech Republic)

  • Chuang Wen

    (Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK)

  • Mi Tian

    (Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK)

Abstract

As we move away from internal combustion engines to tackle climate change, the importance of hydrogen-powered vehicles and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology has dramatically increased. In the present study, we aimed to determine the optimal configuration for the power output of a PEMFC system using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to analyse variations of the primary serpentine design of gas flow channels. This helps improve efficiency and save on valuable materials used, reducing potential carbon emissions from the production of hydrogen vehicles. Different numbers of serpentine gas channels were represented with various spacing between them, within the defined CFD model, to optimise the gas channel geometry. The results show that the optimum configuration was found to have 11 serpentine channels with a spacing of 3.25 mm. In this optimum configuration, the ratio between the channel width, channel spacing, and serpentine channel length was found to be 1:2.6:38 for PEMFCs. Furthermore, the inclusion of fillets to the bends of the serpentine gas channels was found to have a negative effect on the overall power output of the fuel cell. Moreover, the optimisation procedures with respect to the number of gas channels and the spacing revealed an optimal power density exceeding 0.65 W/cm 2 .

Suggested Citation

  • James Chilver-Stainer & Anas F. A. Elbarghthi & Chuang Wen & Mi Tian, 2023. "Power Output Optimisation via Arranging Gas Flow Channels for Low-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:9:p:3722-:d:1133717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lei Yuan & Zunlong Jin & Penghui Yang & Youchen Yang & Dingbiao Wang & Xiaotang Chen, 2021. "Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Different Flow Patterns on Power and Reactant Transmission in Tubular-Shaped PEMFC," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Athinarayanan Balasankar & Sathya Elango Arthiya & Subramaniyan Ramasundaram & Paramasivam Sumathi & Selvaraj Arokiyaraj & Taehwan Oh & Kanakaraj Aruchamy & Ganesan Sriram & Mahaveer D. Kurkuri, 2022. "Recent Advances in the Preparation and Performance of Porous Titanium-Based Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Su, Guoqing & Yang, Daijun & Xiao, Qiangfeng & Dai, Haiqin & Zhang, Cunman, 2021. "Effects of vortexes in feed header on air flow distribution of PEMFC stack: CFD simulation and optimization for better uniformity," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 498-506.
    4. Wang, Yulin & Wang, Xiaoai & Fan, Yuanzhi & He, Wei & Guan, Jinglei & Wang, Xiaodong, 2022. "Numerical Investigation of Tapered Flow Field Configurations for Enhanced Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    5. Tian, Pengjie & Liu, Xuejun & Luo, Kaiyao & Li, Hongkun & Wang, Yun, 2021. "Deep learning from three-dimensional multiphysics simulation in operational optimization and control of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell for maximum power," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Prithvi Raj Pedapati & Shankar Raman Dhanushkodi & Ramesh Kumar Chidambaram & Dawid Taler & Tomasz Sobota & Jan Taler, 2024. "Design and Manufacturing Challenges in PEMFC Flow Fields—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-34, July.
    2. Ruitong Yang & Fuqiang Wang & Zhonghao Rao & Chao Shen & Dong Li, 2024. "Advancing Sustainable Energy Solutions: Innovations in Clean Energy Applications and Conventional Energy Efficiency Upgrade," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-4, May.
    3. Rocha, C. & Knöri, T. & Ribeirinha, P. & Gazdzicki, P., 2024. "A review on flow field design for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Challenges to increase the active area for MW applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).

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