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Design of a New Single-Cell Flow Field Based on the Multi-Physical Coupling Simulation for PEMFC Durability

Author

Listed:
  • Yuting Zou

    (Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
    Wuhan Institute of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industrial Technology, 555 Cultural Avenue, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430000, China)

  • Shiyang Hua

    (Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
    Wuhan Institute of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industrial Technology, 555 Cultural Avenue, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430000, China)

  • Hao Wu

    (Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
    Wuhan Institute of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industrial Technology, 555 Cultural Avenue, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430000, China)

  • Chen Chen

    (Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
    Wuhan Institute of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industrial Technology, 555 Cultural Avenue, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430000, China)

  • Zheng Wei

    (Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute Co., Ltd., National Digital Publishing Base, No. 996, Tiangu 7th Road, High-Tech Zone, Xi’an 710077, China)

  • Zhizhong Hu

    (Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion, Nanli Road, Wuhan 430000, China
    Wuhan Institute of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industrial Technology, 555 Cultural Avenue, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430000, China)

  • Yuwei Lei

    (Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute Co., Ltd., National Digital Publishing Base, No. 996, Tiangu 7th Road, High-Tech Zone, Xi’an 710077, China)

  • Jinhui Wang

    (Shaanxi Xuqiangrui Clean Energy Co., Ltd., Longmen National Ecological Industry Demonstration Zone, Hancheng City 710016, China)

  • Daming Zhou

    (School of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China)

Abstract

The fuel cell with a ten-channel serpentine flow field has a low operating pressure drop, which is conducive to extended test operations and stable use. According to numerical results of the ten-channel serpentine flow field fuel cell, the multi-channel flow field usually has poor mass transmission under the ribs, and the lower pressure drop is not favorable for drainage from the outlet. In this paper, an optimized flow field is developed to address these two disadvantages of the ten-channel fuel cell. As per numerical simulation, the optimized flow field improves the gas distribution in the reaction area, increases the gas flow between the adjacent ribs, improves the performance of PEMFC, and enhances the drainage effect. The optimized flow field can enhance water pipe performance, increase fuel cell durability, and decelerate aging rates. According to further experimental tests, the performance of the optimized flow field fuel cell was better than that of the ten-channel serpentine flow field at high current density, and the reflux design requires sufficient gas flow to ensure the full play of the superior performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuting Zou & Shiyang Hua & Hao Wu & Chen Chen & Zheng Wei & Zhizhong Hu & Yuwei Lei & Jinhui Wang & Daming Zhou, 2023. "Design of a New Single-Cell Flow Field Based on the Multi-Physical Coupling Simulation for PEMFC Durability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:16:p:5932-:d:1214837
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhang, Shuanyang & Liu, Shun & Xu, Hongtao & Liu, Gaojie & Wang, Ke, 2022. "Performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with honeycomb-like flow channel design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
    2. Li, Wenkai & Zhang, Qinglei & Wang, Chao & Yan, Xiaohui & Shen, Shuiyun & Xia, Guofeng & Zhu, Fengjuan & Zhang, Junliang, 2017. "Experimental and numerical analysis of a three-dimensional flow field for PEMFCs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 278-288.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Zhuo & Quan, Hong-Bing & Cai, Sai-Jie & Li, Zheng-Dao & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2025. "Design strategies for mainstream flow channels in large-area PEMFC: From typical units to large areas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    2. Zhang, Zhuo & Cai, Sai-jie & Li, Zheng-dao & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2024. "Electrical and thermal performance analysis of PEMFC with coolant flow field under steady-state condition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    3. Marine Cornet & Arnaud Morin & Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvezier & Yann Bultel, 2024. "Advanced Methodology for Emulating Local Operating Conditions in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells," Data, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-11, December.

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