Title: Mass energy transfer effects of PEM fuel cell flow channels with correlation between geometric parameters and operating conditions

Authors: Hoe-Gil Lee; Dakota Messer

Addresses: Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Environmental Engineering, Tarleton State University, Stephenville TX 76402, USA ' Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Environmental Engineering, Tarleton State University, Stephenville TX 76402, USA

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are integrated to explore the effects of the design and analysis of the flow channel plate in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. It investigates three primary channel designs under different operating conditions and examines the pressure and velocity distribution across the plate. The numerical and experimental results indicate that the grid-designed channel pattern is the most efficient for achieving an even pressure and velocity distribution across the flow channel plate. Testing three flow patterns with three materials and five inlet velocities revealed the grid design's efficiency, ensuring smooth fluid distribution, especially with graphite material at 0.004 kg/s. The roughness analyses emphasised the efficiency of a level 0, correlating with decreased pressure and velocity, aligning with expected turbulent flow. The experimental set focused on grid design thickness variations, with a 0.4-inch thickness proving efficient, particularly at 0.004 kg/s.

Keywords: bipolar plate; PEMFC; performance analysis; CFD simulation; flow channels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEC.2024.140020

International Journal of Power and Energy Conversion, 2024 Vol.15 No.3, pp.220 - 256

Received: 20 Jul 2023
Accepted: 22 Jan 2024
Published online: 15 Jul 2024 *

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