Numerical Investigation of Gas Channel Geometry of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

In present research, a three-dimensional, single phase proton-exchange membrane fuel cell has been simulated numerically. The governing equations have been solved using finite volume scheme and the obtained results have been validated against famous published data which showed proper conformity. The basic target is an investigation of the gas channel shape effect on cell performance and mass transport phenomenon. First, the besides walls of gas channels have been converted from straight condition to sinusoidal form with two different steps and in continue, the membrane electrode assembly has been bended in four states, but the gas channel cross section area has been kept 1 mm2. The results revealed that, the spiral models because of curved construction, prepare the long pathway for incoming gases and also much mass diffusion to the reaction area. So for model M1, the produced current density for V=0.6 [V], increased about 7.5% and consequently more oxygen and hydrogen consumed. The pressure drop of spiral models has been studied and results showed that the base model has the less pressure drop but model M2 because of higher performance and nearly same pressure drop can be a best choice for user. Also, for new bended models, the best choice is a model with δ=0.4, which has produced more current density, while its reaction area is about 19.64 mm2 larger than the conventional model with δ=0.

Keywords

• geometrical configuration
• pem fuel cell
• gas channel
• species distribution
• membrane electrode assembly