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Three-dimensional simulation of different flow fields of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using a multi-phase coupled model with cooling channel

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  • Atyabi, Seyed Ali
  • Afshari, Ebrahim
  • Zohravi, Elnaz
  • Udemu, Chinonyelum M.

Abstract

A suitable cooling flow field design for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) improves the cell's net generated power, besides achieving steady cell performance and a longer lifespan. The innovation in this work lies in the simultaneous simulation of electrochemical and cooling models while accounting for both thermal and electrical contact resistance between the gas diffusion layer and bipolar plates. In this study, flow field designs including straight parallel channels (Case A), straight parallel channels filled with metal foam (Case B), multi-channel serpentine (Case C), novel serpentine channels (Case D), and integrated metal foam (Case E) used for both gas channels and cooling channels are numerically simulated. Results show that the highest uniformity of temperature in the catalyst layer-gas diffusion layer interface is obtained in Case D, which has the largest pressure drop compared to Cases B, C, and E. However, due to the uniform distribution of reactant flows, the maximum temperature observed in the catalyst layer of this flow field was the lowest compared to the rest of the cases. Furthermore, the maximum power density of 0.75 Wcm−2 was observed in Case D at a corresponding voltage of 0.6 V, which reduced when the effect of high pressure drop was taken into account. Following the conclusion of the simulation and analysis, Case D displayed the best cooling performance while Case E produced the maximum net power output.

Suggested Citation

  • Atyabi, Seyed Ali & Afshari, Ebrahim & Zohravi, Elnaz & Udemu, Chinonyelum M., 2021. "Three-dimensional simulation of different flow fields of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using a multi-phase coupled model with cooling channel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:234:y:2021:i:c:s036054422101495x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121247
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yulin Wang & Xiangling Liao & Guokun Liu & Haokai Xu & Chao Guan & Huixuan Wang & Hua Li & Wei He & Yanzhou Qin, 2023. "Review of Flow Field Designs for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-54, May.
    2. Chang, Huawei & Cai, Fengyang & Yu, Xianxian & Duan, Chen & Chan, Siew Hwa & Tu, Zhengkai, 2023. "Experimental study on the thermal management of an open-cathode air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with ultra-thin metal bipolar plates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    3. Rahmani, Ebrahim & Moradi, Tofigh & Ghandehariun, Samane & Naterer, Greg F. & Ranjbar, Amirhossein, 2023. "Enhanced mass transfer and water discharge in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with a raccoon channel flow field," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    4. Hwang, Jenn-Jiang & Dlamini, Mangaliso Menzi & Weng, Fang-Bor & Chang, Tseng & Lin, Chih-Hong & Weng, Shih-Cheng, 2022. "Simulation of fine mesh implementation on the cathode for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PA).
    5. Gye-Eun Jang & Gu-Young Cho, 2022. "Effects of Ag Current Collecting Layer Fabricated by Sputter for 3D-Printed Polymer Bipolar Plate of Ultra-Light Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-9, March.
    6. Pandu Ranga Tirumalasetti & Fang-Bor Weng & Mangaliso Menzi Dlamini & Chia-Hung Chen, 2024. "Numerical Simulation of Double Layered Wire Mesh Integration on the Cathode for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, January.
    7. Kermani, M.J. & Moein-Jahromi, M. & Hasheminasab, M.R. & Ebrahimi, F. & Wei, L. & Guo, J. & Jiang, F.M., 2022. "Application of a foam-based functionally graded porous material flow-distributor to PEM fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    8. Atyabi, Seyed Ali & Afshari, Ebrahim & Shakarami, Negar, 2023. "Three-dimensional multiphase modeling of the performance of an open-cathode PEM fuel cell with additional cooling channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).

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