IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/ijsaem/v15y2024i8d10.1007_s13198-024-02395-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparative sustainability analysis of serpentine flow-field and straight channel PEM fuel cell designs

Author

Listed:
  • Mohamed-Amine Babay

    (Sultan Moulay Slimane University)

  • Mustapha Adar

    (Sultan Moulay Slimane University)

  • Ahmed Chebak

    (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University)

  • Mustapha Mabrouki

    (Sultan Moulay Slimane University)

Abstract

This study employed numerical analysis to evaluate the sustainability of Serpentine Flow-Field and Straight channel PEM fuel cells, focusing on critical parameters such as reactant velocity, temperature, current density, water content, membrane hydration, and polarization behavior curve. The model incorporated the transportation of gases, water, and electrical current within the fuel cell's layers, emphasizing the importance of optimizing performance and reducing costs through the design of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Utilizing the finite element method and ANSYS Fluent, the model allowed for adjustments in parameters such as membrane thickness and protonic conductivity coefficient, both of which significantly impact cell performance. The findings indicated that both fuel cell designs performed well, with a slight advantage observed for the Straight channel configuration in terms of production. However, the performance difference was relatively small, with the Straight channel design outperforming the Serpentine Flow-Field configuration by approximately 5% in terms of production. Despite this slight discrepancy, both designs demonstrated good performance overall. Moreover, the study underscored the critical role of MEA design optimization in achieving maximum performance and cost-effectiveness. While Straight channel PEM fuel cells may be slightly more cost-effective for certain applications, Serpentine Flow-Field PEM fuel cells offer enhanced efficiency and durability, making them preferable in many scenarios. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the sustainability of these two fuel cell designs, indicating that while both are viable options, Serpentine Flow-Field PEM fuel cells offer slightly better performance and durability, thus warranting consideration for future applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed-Amine Babay & Mustapha Adar & Ahmed Chebak & Mustapha Mabrouki, 2024. "Comparative sustainability analysis of serpentine flow-field and straight channel PEM fuel cell designs," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 15(8), pages 3954-3970, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijsaem:v:15:y:2024:i:8:d:10.1007_s13198-024-02395-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s13198-024-02395-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13198-024-02395-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13198-024-02395-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mohamed-Amine Babay & Mustapha Adar & Ahmed Chebak & Mustapha Mabrouki, 2023. "Dynamics of Gas Generation in Porous Electrode Alkaline Electrolysis Cells: An Investigation and Optimization Using Machine Learning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Henriques, T. & César, B. & Branco, P.J. Costa, 2010. "Increasing the efficiency of a portable PEM fuel cell by altering the cathode channel geometry: A numerical and experimental study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(4), pages 1400-1409, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zhao, Chen & Li, Baozhu & Zhang, Lu & Han, Yaru & Wu, Xiaoyu, 2023. "Novel optimal structure design and testing of air-cooled open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    2. Qin, Yanzhou & Li, Xianguo & Jiao, Kui & Du, Qing & Yin, Yan, 2014. "Effective removal and transport of water in a PEM fuel cell flow channel having a hydrophilic plate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 116-126.
    3. Kim, Bosung & Lee, Yongtaek & Woo, Ahyoung & Kim, Yongchan, 2013. "Effects of cathode channel size and operating conditions on the performance of air-blowing PEMFCs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 441-448.
    4. Zhu, Kai-Qi & Ding, Quan & Zhang, Ben-Xi & Xu, Jiang-Hai & Li, Dan-Dan & Yang, Yan-Ru & Lee, Duu-Jong & Wan, Zhong-Min & Wang, Xiao-Dong, 2024. "Performance enhancement of air-cooled PEMFC stack by employing tapered oblique fin channels: Experimental study of a full stack and numerical analysis of a typical single cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 358(C).
    5. Chen, Daifen & Zeng, Qice & Su, Shichuan & Bi, Wuxi & Ren, Zhiqiang, 2013. "Geometric optimization of a 10-cell modular planar solid oxide fuel cell stack manifold," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1100-1107.
    6. Yan, Wei-Mon & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Lee, Duu-Jong & Zhang, Xin-Xin & Guo, Yi-Fan & Su, Ay, 2011. "Experimental study of commercial size proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 392-396, January.
    7. Tang, Yong & Yuan, Wei & Pan, Minqiang & Wan, Zhenping, 2011. "Experimental investigation on the dynamic performance of a hybrid PEM fuel cell/battery system for lightweight electric vehicle application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 68-76, January.
    8. Hsueh, Ching-Yi & Chu, Hsin-Sen & Yan, Wei-Mon & Chen, Chiun-Hsun, 2010. "Transport phenomena and performance of a plate methanol steam micro-reformer with serpentine flow field design," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3137-3147, October.
    9. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2011. "Non-isothermal transport phenomenon and cell performance of a cathodic PEM fuel cell with a baffle plate in a tapered channel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 52-67, January.
    10. Wang, Yun & Chen, Ken S. & Mishler, Jeffrey & Cho, Sung Chan & Adroher, Xavier Cordobes, 2011. "A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Technology, applications, and needs on fundamental research," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 981-1007, April.
    11. Wu, Horng-Wen & Ku, Hui-Wen, 2011. "The optimal parameters estimation for rectangular cylinders installed transversely in the flow channel of PEMFC from a three-dimensional PEMFC model and the Taguchi method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4879-4890.
    12. Zhang, Hao & Xuan, Jin & Xu, Hong & Leung, Michael K.H. & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Zhang, Li & Wang, Huizhi & Wang, Lei, 2013. "Enabling high-concentrated fuel operation of fuel cells with microfluidic principles: A feasibility study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1131-1137.
    13. Zhao, Chen & Wang, Fei & Wu, Xiaoyu, 2024. "Analysis and review on air-cooled open cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Bibliometric, environmental adaptation and prospect," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    14. Guida, D. & Minutillo, M., 2017. "Design methodology for a PEM fuel cell power system in a more electrical aircraft," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 446-456.
    15. Huang, Zhen-Ming & Su, Ay & Liu, Ying-Chieh, 2014. "Development and testing of a hybrid system with a sub-kW open-cathode type PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell stack," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 547-553.
    16. Tirnovan, R. & Giurgea, S. & Miraoui, A., 2011. "Strategies for optimizing the opening of the outlet air circuit's nozzle to improve the efficiency of the PEMFC generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 1197-1204, April.
    17. Ismail, M.S. & Ingham, D.B. & Hughes, K.J. & Ma, L. & Pourkashanian, M., 2013. "Thermal modelling of the cathode in air-breathing PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 529-537.
    18. 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.
    19. Zuria, Alonso Moreno & Abrego-Martinez, Juan Carlos & Sun, Shuhui & Mohamedi, Mohamed, 2020. "Prospects of membraneless mixed-reactant microfluidic fuel cells: Evolution through numerical simulation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    20. Xing, Shuang & Zhao, Chen & Zou, Jiexin & Zaman, Shahid & Yu, Yang & Gong, Hongwei & Wang, Yajun & Chen, Ming & Wang, Min & Lin, Meng & Wang, Haijiang, 2022. "Recent advances in heat and water management of forced-convection open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:ijsaem:v:15:y:2024:i:8:d:10.1007_s13198-024-02395-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.