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Comprehensive investigation on impacts of flow uniformity on performance of large-scale PEM fuel cells

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Bin
  • Pan, Weitong
  • Hu, Zichao
  • Zhang, Guoyu
  • Tang, Longfei
  • Chen, Xueli
  • Wang, Fuchen

Abstract

Flow uniformity has a significant influence on the performance of large-scale Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which has not been thoroughly clarified in relevant studies. The objective of this work is to comprehensively examine the impacts of flow uniformity on cell performance by varying the channel geometry in the reaction zone and the transition zone percentage. Firstly, the evaluation of output performance is presented. Increasing the transition zone percentage brings cell performance closer to the Uniform scenario. However, for cases with confined transition zones, narrowing, extending, and lowering channels result in cell performance being lower (−0.101 A cm−2), equal (0.000 A cm−2), and higher (0.060 A cm−2) than the Uniform scenario, respectively. Secondly, the underlying mechanism is revealed based on the analyses of momentum and mass transfer. A reduced transition zone percentage corresponds to diminished flow uniformity. The change in the performance of cells with confined transition zones is related to the fluid redistribution characteristic, which is achieved by the transverse flow in the porous medium. The enhanced transverse flow transitions the mass transfer of reactant from restricted to improved. On this basis, three operating states of cells-starvation, satisfaction, and satiation-are defined and clarified.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Bin & Pan, Weitong & Hu, Zichao & Zhang, Guoyu & Tang, Longfei & Chen, Xueli & Wang, Fuchen, 2025. "Comprehensive investigation on impacts of flow uniformity on performance of large-scale PEM fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:332:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225026817
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137039
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