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Porous lattice type flow field enable more uniform gas distribution and higher power density of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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  • Sun, Feng
  • Ma, Zhihui
  • Xin, Shenghai
  • Fang, Yixing
  • Wang, Zhen
  • Su, Dandan
  • Li, Ping
  • Qu, Xuanhui

Abstract

Developing state-of-the-art bipolar plate (BP) structures, to optimize fluid distribution, is essential to achieve better proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance. In this paper, a three-dimensional isothermal PEMFC model is developed with enhanced mass transfer of reactant gas by designing porous lattice type cathode flow field. To systematically investigate the effect of porous lattice type flow fields, eight different cell structures are designed. The numerical results show that porous lattice type flow fields show great advantages in enhancing reactant gas supply, reducing mass transfer performance losses, and improving PEMFC power density. Thanks to three-dimensional lattice network instead of the traditional structure of "bipolar plate/flow channel", the reactant gas diffusion is enhanced, and active area can be more fully utilized. The Kelvin lattice flow field is more prominent in oxygen distribution, water distribution, and electrical properties. The peak power density produced is 0.7074 W cm−2 which is 22.90 % higher than the parallel flow field.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Feng & Ma, Zhihui & Xin, Shenghai & Fang, Yixing & Wang, Zhen & Su, Dandan & Li, Ping & Qu, Xuanhui, 2025. "Porous lattice type flow field enable more uniform gas distribution and higher power density of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:320:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225008825
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135240
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