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Simulation of fine mesh implementation on the cathode for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

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  • Hwang, Jenn-Jiang
  • Dlamini, Mangaliso Menzi
  • Weng, Fang-Bor
  • Chang, Tseng
  • Lin, Chih-Hong
  • Weng, Shih-Cheng

Abstract

This study presents the simulation of fine mesh implementation on proton exchange membrane fuel cell, on the cathode side. In relation to graphite triple serpentine flow channels, the proposed fine mesh design creates forced convection fluid flow. It further enhances specie diffusion through the gas diffusion layer, into the triple phase boundary (TPBL). Beside axial flow, multidirectional fluid flow is created, thus utilizing the active area. This design improves accumulated water drainage. The experimental results include property measurements for mass flow and polarization curves to understand the proposed design in relation to serpentine design performance. The fine mesh has shown around 12.6% power improvement, which can be further improved by coating the adopted titanium with a more conductive material. Five times high pressure drop has been rendered by the 3D fine mesh over the serpentine channels. The uncoated titanium used here has an interfacial contact resistance (ICR) of 22 mΩ cm2 under a load of 15 kgf/cm2.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:244:y:2022:i:pa:s0360544221029637
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.122714
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Yong & He, Shirong & Jiang, Xiaohui & Xiong, Mu & Ye, Yuntao & Yang, Xi, 2023. "Three-dimensional multi-phase simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance considering constriction straight channel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    2. Zhou, Yu & Chen, Ben & Meng, Kai & Zhou, Haoran & Chen, Wenshang & Zhang, Ning & Deng, Qihao & Yang, Guanghua & Tu, Zhengkai, 2023. "Optimal design of a cathode flow field for performance enhancement of PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 343(C).
    3. Liao, Shuxin & Qiu, Diankai & Yi, Peiyun & Peng, Linfa & Lai, Xinmin, 2022. "Modeling of a novel cathode flow field design with optimized sub-channels to improve drainage for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    4. Antoine Bäumler & Jianwen Meng & Abdelmoudjib Benterki & Toufik Azib & Moussa Boukhnifer, 2023. "A System-Level Modeling of PEMFC Considering Degradation Aspect towards a Diagnosis Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.
    5. Yu, Xianxian & Luo, Xiaobing & Tu, Zhengkai, 2023. "Development of a compact high-power density air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with ultrathin steel bipolar plates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).

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