Optimization of Flow Channel Design and Operating Parameters on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Using MATLAB

Abstract

Operating parameters like pressure, temperature, the stoichiometric ratio of reactants, relative humidity and design parameters like rib width to channel width (L:C), the shape of the flow channel and the number of passes on the flow channel are influencing the performance of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC IntroductionThe PEMFCs are being developed for commercial applications in the areas of transportation, back-up power and portable power. One of the main advantages is the negligible emission of pollutants, like SOx, NOx, particulates and greenhouse gases [1]. It is Eco-friendly power source which is suitable for powering both portable devices and mobile application due to their high energy density and lower operating temperature range [2]. In this paper the performance enhancement of fuel cell by optimizing the influence of various operating and design parameters using CFD Fluent 14.0 and MATLAB software packages. The PEMFC consists of polymer solid electrolyte membrane placed between an anode and a cathode. The electrochemical reaction produces electric current along with water and heat as byproducts. To attain high current, peak power density, proper temperature distribution and optimum water management the various flow channel design was used. S. Simple [3] addressed in his study that the performance of PEMFC has been influenced by the flow channel path length and the flow field design with 1.2,2 stoichiometric ratios, inlet temperatures were 70°C and 80°C, operating pressure was 1.01bar in the anode and the cathode respectively. Dyi-Huey Chang et al. [4] studied the effect of flow channel depth and flow rates on performance of PEMFC and concluded that the optimum flow rate was essential to maintain sufficient pressure, which force the reactant into channel to get proper water balance. Wei-Mon Yan et al [5] studied the impact of flow channel designs on the performance of PEMFC and concluded that the interdigitated flow field having 1.4 times better power output than the conventional flow field design. Nicholas S. Siefert [1] concluded his study that the serpentine channels are very effective to get rid of the liquid because of its high gas velocity. Atul Kumar et al. [6] Optimized the flow channel dimensions and shape in the flow field of a single pass serpentine flow field design. In his study, he concluded that the different shape of cross section leads to the excess hydrogen consumption in the anode, thus it can influence the performance of the PEMFC. However, water accumulation leads the fuel cell performance unpredictable and unreliable under the nominally identical operating conditions. So the essential issue for

Interdigitated Flow Channel on a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Investigated Using the Response Surface Methodology

“…Thermo-physical properties were constant and the porous GDL, two catalyst layers used in the anode & cathode side and the membrane were an isotropic in nature. The following equations (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) were involved in the model mentioned above.…”

“…The performance of a PEM fuel cell was improved in the study carried out by Lakshminarayanan and Karthikeyan [10]. The authors investigated the combined effect of design and operating parameters of the serpentine and the interdigitated flow channel with 25 cm 2 of active area using the optimization technique and CFD.…”

Optimization on Serpentine flow channel of PEMFC using RSM

“…Whereas the optimum ranges of stoichiometry of fuel and oxidants on anode and cathode leads to the best performance. The performance enhancement of the combined effect of design and operating parameters of serpentine and interdigitated flow channel with 25cm 2 active area of PEM fuel cell with four different parameters using optimization technique and CFD carried out by Lakshminarayanan and Karthikeyan [14]. The results revealed that the peak power density of interdigitated flow channel with landing to channel width (L:C)-1:2 showed better than the serpentine flow channel with L:C-1:2.…”

Optimization of Design and Operating Parameters for Enhancing the Performances of PEMFC with Serpentine Flow Fields

“…They concluded that for achieving higher power densities, the ratio of landing width to channel width should be relatively smaller. The performance enhancement of the combined effect of operating and design parameters (operating pressure, temperature and inlet mass flow rate of reactant gases and rib to channel width ratio) of single pass serpentine and interdigitated flow channel with 25 cm 2 active area of PEMFC carried out by Lakshminarayanan and Karthikeyan [12]. The results revealed that the maximum power density of interdigitated flow channel with landing to channel width 1:2 showed better performance than the serpentine flow channel with same design parameter.…”