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Modeling of a novel cathode flow field design with optimized sub-channels to improve drainage for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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  • Liao, Shuxin
  • Qiu, Diankai
  • Yi, Peiyun
  • Peng, Linfa
  • Lai, Xinmin

Abstract

Water management is the primary factor affecting the output performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Aiming to effectively deal with the flooding problem during the cell operation in a cathode flow field, this paper proposes a novel sub-channel design based on a wave-like flow field. The effects of sub-channel wall properties and channel geometry on the water removal capacity of the sub-channel are numerically evaluated by using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. Verification experiments are carried out to observe the water dynamics from droplets accumulation to detachment. The results reveal that the sub-channel achieves drainage performance by enhancing the gas pressure difference to overcome the wall adhesion. A wall contact angle of not less than 110° and an included angle to the main channel of not more than 60° are the prerequisites for the effective water removal of the sub-channel. The optimal design of the sub-channel is obtained to achieve better drainage performance. In addition, it is found that the effects of the sub-channel on water droplets will be weakened when the main channel period is densified to 1.5 mm or less, which is usually adopted to improve the mass transfer capacity under the ribs.

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  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:261:y:2022:i:pb:s0360544222021235
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.125235
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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. 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).

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