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Design and Modeling of Metallic Bipolar Plates for a Fuel Cell Range Extender

Author

Listed:
  • Uwe Reimer

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Ekaterina Nikitsina

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Holger Janßen

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Martin Müller

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Dieter Froning

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Steven B. Beale

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany
    Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Werner Lehnert

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, IEK-14: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425 Jülich, Germany
    Modeling in Electrochemical Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

Fuel cells, designed for mobile applications, should feature compact and low-weight designs. This study describes a design process that fulfills the specific needs of target applications and the production process. The key challenge for this type of metallic bipolar plate is that the combination of two plates creates three flow fields, namely an anode side, a cathode side, and a coolant. This illustrates the fact that each cell constitutes an electrochemical converter with an integrated heat exchanger. The final arrangement is comprised of plates with parallel and separate serpentine channel configurations. The anode and cathode sides are optimized for operation under dry conditions. The final plate offers an almost perfect distribution of coolant flow over the active area. The high quality of this distribution is almost independent of the coolant mass flow, even if one of the six inlet channels is blocked. The software employed (OpenFOAM and SALOME) is freely available and can be used with templates.

Suggested Citation

  • Uwe Reimer & Ekaterina Nikitsina & Holger Janßen & Martin Müller & Dieter Froning & Steven B. Beale & Werner Lehnert, 2021. "Design and Modeling of Metallic Bipolar Plates for a Fuel Cell Range Extender," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:17:p:5484-:d:628034
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Giacoppo, Giosuè & Hovland, Scott & Barbera, Orazio, 2019. "2 kW Modular PEM fuel cell stack for space applications: Development and test for operation under relevant conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 1683-1696.
    5. Wilberforce, Tabbi & El Hassan, Zaki & Ogungbemi, Emmanuel & Ijaodola, O. & Khatib, F.N. & Durrant, A. & Thompson, J. & Baroutaji, A. & Olabi, A.G., 2019. "A comprehensive study of the effect of bipolar plate (BP) geometry design on the performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 236-260.
    6. Ioan-Sorin Sorlei & Nicu Bizon & Phatiphat Thounthong & Mihai Varlam & Elena Carcadea & Mihai Culcer & Mariana Iliescu & Mircea Raceanu, 2021. "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles—A Brief Review of Current Topologies and Energy Management Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-29, January.
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