Optimization Design of a Parallel Flow Field for PEMFC with Bosses in Flow Channels

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a promising energy conversion device due to its high reliability, fast response speed, and low pollutant emission. However, the reality of its commercial application requires further cost reduction and efficiency improvement. The material distribution in the channel and the performance of PEMFC can be improved by setting the boss inside the flow channels. In this paper, the performance of PEMFC with the boss in flow channels in a parallel flow field was analyzed by simulation. The influence of different boss arrangements and heights on gas pressure drop, distribution uniformity, gas component distribution, temperature distribution, and output performance of the fuel cell were analyzed in detail. The bosses would increase the pressure drop and the distribution uniformity of reactive gases in flow channels significantly. The cross-arrangement of bosses is better than the cross-arrangement of bosses and juxtaposition according to increasing performance and pressure drop. The cross-arrangement with a boss height of 0.4 mm is suitable for the parallel flow field in this paper. The improved scheme of flow channel design is proposed to provide a reference for fuel cells for subsequent research.

Automated summary

This paper analyzes the performance of PEMFC with bosses in flow channels in a parallel flow field through simulation. It is found that the bosses can significantly increase the pressure drop and distribution uniformity of reactive gases in the flow channels. The cross-arrangement of bosses is better than the juxtaposition arrangement according to the increasing performance and pressure drop. An improved scheme of flow channel design is proposed for subsequent research on fuel cells.