Experimental Investigation on Dispersion of Water Droplets in the Single-Serpentine Channel of a PEM Fuel Cell

The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) produces electrical power as a source of green energy with heat and water as the only byproducts. Proper water management in these fuel cells depends on the study and characterization of water droplets. In the present study, the dispersion of water droplets in the cathode channel of a transparent PEMFC with single-serpentine flow field is studied by optical visualization and digital image processing for different inlet flow parameters and operational conditions. The dispersion and detachment of liquid water droplets are quantified and a schematic map of water droplet dispersion is presented.