Influence of Microelliptical Groove Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) on Transport Behavior of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

A new elliptical groove gas diffusion layer (GDL) using a three-dimensional model is proposed to improve the transport properties of the GDL of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The effects of different shape parameters on water diffusion and transport behavior are investigated. The results revealed that compared with the traditional GDL, the presence of an elliptical groove greatly accelerates the flow rate of the reactants and products. Also, when the depth increases from 100 to 300 mu m, the water mass fraction of the GDL decreases, whereas the oxygen mass fraction increases. As the radius increases, the low mass fraction area in GDL gradually increases, and the water mass fraction of the flow channel increases. As the spacing increases, the water mass fraction of the GDL in the xy-plane decreases, and the oxygen mass fraction increases. When the depth increases, the transport properties of the fuel cell are improved. All shape parameters contribute to the mean water mass fraction. The water mass fraction is the lowest when depth is 350 mu m, radius is 350 mu m, width is 200 mu m, and spacing is 50 mu m. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A new elliptical groove gas diffusion layer (GDL) using a three-dimensional model is proposed to improve the transport properties of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), with significant effects on water diffusion and transport behavior. The presence of the elliptical groove greatly accelerates the flow rate of reactants and products, while different shape parameters impact the water and oxygen mass fractions in the GDL. The depth, radius, width, and spacing of the elliptical groove all play a role in affecting the water mass fraction, with specific optimal values leading to the lowest water mass fraction.