Numerical predictions of performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell with baffle(s)-blocked flow field designs

Oberoi

Intl J of Energy Research

2021

Summary This paper addresses the effects of critical parameters that affect the performance and lifespan of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Amongst all, control of excess water content and dehydration in PEM fuel cells is the major issue under various operating conditions. Therefore, their effects on cathode, anode, gas diffusion layer (GDL), catalyst layer (CL), and flow channels are summarized in the initial part of this paper. Various active cooling strategies such as air cooling, liquid cooling, and phase change method to extract the waste heat from the stack are represented. The lateral part of this paper throws light on the role of heat pipes, working fluid, and the effect of the addition of nanofluid with pertinent filling ratio (FR) in cooling of PEM fuel cells. This work is intended to aid the selection of cooling methods for PEM fuel cells through the consideration of the variety of affecting parameters preceding major expenditure for wide‐scale production. In future, cost comparison associated with the cooling techniques of the fuel cell would be evaluated.

Section: Parameters Influencing the Performance Of Pem Fuel Cellmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing the performance of PEM fuel cells: A review on performance parameters, water management, and cooling techniques

Oberoi

Intl J of Energy Research

2021

J. Electrochem. Sci. Technol

“…The net power density and drainage performance increased about 47.8% and 32.6%, respectively [18]. Afshari et al numerically analyzed baffle number, shape and size effect on fuel cell mass transfer, and found that baffle height had the most significant effect on the mass transfer [19]. Perng et al compared trapezoidal baffles and blocks effect on PEMFC, and shown that whether it was baffle or block, PEMFC performance would be improved with trapezoidal angle and height increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Obstacle Number, Shape and Blockage Degree in Flow Field of PEMFC on its Performance

Zhang,

Fan,

et al. 2024

<p>Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has received extensive attention as it is the most common hydrogen energy utilization device. This research not only investigated the effect of obstacle number and shape on PEMFC performance, but also studied the effect of the blockage degree in the channel of PEMFC on its performance. It was found that compared with traditional scheme, longitudinally distributed obstacles scheme can significantly promote reactants transfer to catalyst layer, and the blockage degree in the channel effect PEMFC performance most. The scheme with 10 rectangular obstacles in single channel and 60% channel blockage had the best output performance and the most uniform distribution of reactants and products. Obstacle height distribution can significantly affect PEMFC performance, the blockage degree in the whole basin was large, particularly as the channel was blocked to higher degree in region 2 and region 3, higher net power density and better mass transfer effect can be obtained. Among them, the fuel cell with the blockage degree of 40%, 60% and 60% in region 1, region 2 and region 3 have the best PEMFC output performance and mass transfer, the net power density was 29.8% higher than that of traditional scheme.</p>

“…The channels with obstacles have a much lower pressure drop than the pin arrangement. In addition, obstacles help to better transport reactive gases to the GDL (Afshari and Houreh, 2014;Baharlou Houreh et al, 2020). In areas where activation loss is predominant, the design of the channel with Proton exchange membrane obstacles can increase the concentration of reactants in the active area (catalyst) and consequently increase the rate of electrochemical reactions, and as a result improving the performance of the cell.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with the stair arrangement of obstacles in the cathode channel

Baharlou-Houreh,

Masaeli,

Afshari

et al. 2023

HFF

Self Cite

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of partially blocking the cathode channel with the stair arrangement of obstacles on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Design/methodology/approach A numerical study is conducted by developing a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. Findings As the angle of the stair arrangement increases, the performance of the fuel cell is reduced and the pressure drop is decreased. The use of four stair obstacles with an angle of 0.17° leads to higher power density and a lower pressure drop compared to the case with three rectangular obstacles of the same size and maximum height. The use of four stair obstacles with an angle of 0.34° results in higher power density and lower pressure drop compared to the case with two rectangular obstacles of the same size and maximum height. Originality/value Using the stair arrangement of obstacles as an innovation of the present work, in addition to improving the fuel cell’s performance, creates a lower pressure drop than the simple arrangement of obstacles.