Effects of flow field design on water management and reactant distribution in PEMFC: a review

The performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack is affected by many factors, including the operating conditions, flow field and manifold design, and membrane performance. To achieve the desired PEMFC performance, the reactant must be uniformly distributed and effectively diffused into the catalyst layer for the electrochemical reaction. Water management and reactant distribution in fuel cells are crucial because they affect the distribution and diffusion rate of the reactant. This paper reviews the important research results reported in recent years related to the effects of water and reactant distribution on the performance and life span of PEMFC stacks.