International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 10 | Oct 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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EFFECTS OF FLOW CHANNEL ON PERFORMANCE OF PEM FUEL CELL Rishya Shringhan Ravichandran1, Dr.Bade Shrestha2 1Graduate Research Associate, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan
University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA - 49008
2Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo,
Michigan, USA - 49008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - The study focused on simulating the flow
efficiency. Yousef et al. [4] explored a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology to investigate the ramifications of novel flow channel design on PEMFC performance, discovering that this innovation design performed better than conventional configurations. According to Liu et al. [5], disparate gas flow field architectures outcomes include pintype, single, and multiple channels. Iranzo et al [6] utilized a CFD paradigm with ANSYS Fluent software to compare parallel and serpentine flow fields, explaining that serpentine configuration conferred superior performance enhancements. Amirinejad et al. [7] analyzed a PEMFC with an active area of 5cm2 under assorted operational conditions including temperature, pressure, and reactant gas humidity– demonstrating that an increase in cell temperature and operating pressure enhanced performance. Carcade et al. [8] investigated the impact of channel cross-sectional area and serpentine channel patterns, concluding that minimizing channel and land width while augmenting the number of serpentine channels yielded superior cell performance at elevated current densities.
channels in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEMFC) under different operating conditions to evaluate their effects on the cell performance. Using a three-dimensional model of a PEMFC with a 25cm2 active area, various flow channel designs (single serpentine, bi serpentine, and tri serpentine) were investigated using ANSYS FLUENT software. The obtained results were compared to the experimental data to validate the model. Factors like pressure distribution, and velocity magnitude were examined alongside fuel cell performance. The findings indicated that the tri serpentine flow channel designs exhibited a power density of 0.6655 W/cm2 at 373K while the bi serpentine produced 1.10 % lower, and the single serpentine yielded 1.15 % lower than the tri serpentine flow channel
1.INTRODUCTION To help create a more sustainable future, advanced technologies such as solar-powered vehicles and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are essential to reduce emissions and address global warming. In automotive applications, Researchers are interested in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) due to their high efficiency, low- temperature operation, high power density, rapid startup, and system durability. The flow channel plays an essential role in PEMFC, facilitating the conveyance of reactants to the electrodes. The efficiency of the transport processes are determined by the design configurations, dimensions, and patterns, which impact the cell’s overall performance.
The research by Santamaria et al [9] involved the distribution of gas in channels ranging from 5cm to 25 cm. It was observed that the longer channels were more effective than the shorter ones. By simulating PEMFCs through the fluent module, Eker and Taymaz [10] investigated the influence of flow channel width and operating temperature. The findings revealed that as the flow channel width increased, the fuel cell performance declined when the temperature dropped. The study by Sukkee and Wang [11] using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze the 3D interaction between straight and interdigitated flow field channels, revealing that interdigitated flow channel is more efficient at removing water from the catalyst layer than the straight channel. Zhongmin Wan et al. [12] developed a novel M-shaped channel design for PEMFC bipolar plates. The study found that by increasing the height and thickness of obstacles improved reactant flow along the wall, which enhanced heat and mass transfer and yielded a 21.3% higher power density without additional pumping energy.
Studies shows that the performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) can be modified by adjusting the geometry of the flow channels. Liu et al. [1] developed a computational model to optimize the dimensions of the current collector and the cross-sectional area of the flow channels. The findings revealed that the power output of PEMFCs increased by reducing the total width of the flow channels and the rib-to-total width ratio. Hashemi et al. [2] studied the performance of PEMFCs with serpentine and straight flow fields. The results demonstrated that the serpentine flow fields achieved a more uniform current density and temperature distribution.
According to Geneva et al. [13], an extended flow field can lead to pressure loss, contributing to water flooding and negatively impacting PEMFC performance. Shimpalee et al. [14] explored the performance of a PEMFC with an active area of 200 cm2 incorporating several configurations of Straight Flow Field (SFF). The findings of Mahammad et al.
Mahammad et al. [3] determined that the performance of PEMFCs are modulated by the channel dimensions, determining that an optimal rib thickness augments
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