Effect of flow channel shapes of proton exchange membrane fuel Cell on its performances

Abstract

The shape of the cross-sectional area of the flow channel has a significant impact on the performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Based on the hydrodynamic calculation method, a three-dimensional PEMFC single-cell model was established. The performance of the PEMFC single cell is tuned by numerical simulations of models with different flow path cross-section shapes, and the properties of single cell such as polarization curves, oxygen distribution at different interfaces, water distribution on the cathode side, current density distribution on the cathode membrane surface and temperature distribution at the cell center section were discussed and analyzed. The results show that the dovetail flow channel has a best convection effect and the best water removal effect. At the same time, the oxygen distribution in the dovetail flow channel is more uniform, and the current density is the highest and the distribution uniformity is higher.