CFD Investigation of Different Flow Field Designs for Efficient PEMFC Performance

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance depends substantially on the geometry, configuration of the flow channels, and size. A right gas flow field pattern requires a homogeneous reactant distribution, low-pressure drop, and good water management. This paper outlines a numerical study, investigated the influence of the U-type, Z-type, and serpentine flow field configuration on the steady-state cell performance using the CFD technique ANSYS FLUENT PEMFC module. The main goal of this study focuses on a novel perspective for enhancing the design of the PEMFC resulting in better performance. The results indicate that the PEMFC with serpentine flow field configuration yields a significantly higher power density compared to the other designs.