3D investigation of the channel cross-section configuration effect on the power delivered by PEMFCs with straight channels

In the present study, a three-dimensional (CFD) model is performed to investigate the effects of the channel cross-section shape on power density, pressure drop and local transport phenomena of the single straight channel PEMFC. 30 forms of channel cross-section including 5 well-known and 25 new innovative channel cross-section configurations have been investigated using ANSYS-FLUENT. The carried out experimental and numerical validations to verify the present model accuracy have shown a good agreement. The channel cross-section shapes have a significant influence on the power density at medium and higher current density. The best performance is reported by the channel cross-section configuration that has a trapezoidal bottom shape and an inverted trapezoidal top form. Whereas, the worst performance is obtained by the channel cross-section configuration that has an inverted half elliptical bottom shape and an inverted trapezoidal top form. A bad choice of the channel cross-section configuration can lead to a power density loss of 4.65%. The largest pressure drop is obtained from the triangular channel cross-section form whereas; the smallest pressure drop is reported by the rectangular channel cross-section shape.