Numerical Simulation Applied to Study the Effects of Fractal Tree-Liked Network Channel Designs on PEMFC Performance

2012 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 1219-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Jen Cheng ◽  
Jr Ming Miao ◽  
Chang Hsien Tai
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Channel Network ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis ◽  
Network Channel

The effect of pressure drop and the flow-field of inhomogeneous transport of reactions gas are two important issues for bipolar flow channel design in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A novel design through the imitation of biological development of the topology distribution of fractal tree-liked network channel is the main topic of this research. The effects of different Reynolds numbers and stoichiometric mass flow rate of reaction gas on the flow field distribution of tree-like channels were investigated by three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic analysis. According to numerical simulations, the fractal tree-liked network channel would have an excellent performance on the uniformity of multi-branching flow distribution and lower pressure drop along channels. The new type of fractal tree-liked bionic flow channel network design will be applied to assist in the experimental reference for improving the performance of fuel cell stack system in PEMFC for future.

Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis on PEM Fuel Cell Performance Using Bio Channel

2019 ◽  
Vol 969 ◽  
pp. 524-529
Author(s):  
Srinivasa Reddy Badduri ◽  
G. Naga Srinivasulu ◽  
S. Srinivasa Rao
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

A 3-D computational model was developed to examine the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance using Bio inspired (Bio channel) flow channel design bipolar plate. The model was developed using ANSYS FLUENT-15.0 software and simulations were carried out at 100 % humidity conditions. The parameters such as pressure distribution, hydrogen and oxygen concentrations and proton conductivity were briefly presented. The simulation results of bio channel are presented in the form of polarization curves. The results of a Bio channel compare with the conventional flow channel and observed that the bio channel gives a less pressure drop, uniform distribution of reactants and high cell voltage at a particular current density. From the observation from the polarization data, the bio channel performance was 20% higher than triple serpentine flow channel.

Lowering the Pressure Drop and Cost of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell by Flow Field Plate Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 8857-8863
Author(s):  
Yongfeng Liu ◽  
Shijie Bai ◽  
Ping Wei ◽  
Pucheng Pei ◽  
Shengzhuo Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Field Plate ◽  
Plate Design ◽  
Exchange Membrane

scholarly journals The Effects of the PEM Fuel Cell Performance with the Waved Flow Channels

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue-Tzu Yang ◽  
Kuo-Teng Tsai ◽  
Cha’o-Kuang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Gap Size ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

The objective of this study is to use a new style of waved flow channel instead of the plane surface channel in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The velocity, concentration, and electrical performance with the waved flow channel in PEMFC are investigated by numerical simulations. The results show that the waved channel arises when the transport benefits through the porous layer and improves the performance of the PEMFC. This is because the waved flow channel enhances the forced convection and causes the more reactant gas flow into the gas diffusion layer (GDL). The performance which was compared to a conventional straight gas flow channel increases significantly with the small gap size when it is smaller than 0.5 in the waved flow channel. The performance is decreased at the high and low velocities as the force convection mechanism is weakened and the reactant gas supply is insufficient. The pressure drop is increased as the gap size becomes smaller, and the wave number decreases. (gap size)δ> 0.3 has a reasonable pressure drop. Consequently, compared to a conventional PEMFC, the waved flow channel improves approximately 30% of power density.

scholarly journals 3D-printed fuel-cell bipolar plates for evaluating flow-field performance

Clean Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Piri ◽  
Xiaotao T Bi ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Haijiang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Optimum Pressure ◽  
3D Printed

Abstract In the last decade, many researchers have focused on developing fuel-cell flow-field designs that homogeneously distribute reactants with an optimum pressure drop. Most of the previous studies are numerical simulations and the few experimental studies conducted have used very simple flow-field geometries due to the limitations of the conventional fabrication techniques. 3D printing is an excellent rapid prototyping method for prototyping bipolar plates (BPPs) to perform experiments on new flow-field designs. The present research investigates the applicability of different 3D-printed BPPs for studying fluid-dynamic behaviour. State-of-the-art flow-field designs are fabricated using PolyJet 3D printing, stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) 3D printing and laser-cutter technologies, and the pressure-drop and velocity profiles are measured for each plate. The results demonstrate that SLA BPPs have great promise in serving as a screening tool in modifying flow-field design with a small feature size.

Influence of Lung Channel Design Bipolar Plate on Performance of PEMFC Using Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 969 ◽  
pp. 530-535
Author(s):  
Srinivasa Reddy Badduri ◽  
G. Naga Srinivasulu ◽  
S. Srinivasa Rao
Keyword(s):  
Current Density ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Polarization Curves ◽  
Channel Design ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis

A 3-D computational model was developed to examine the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance using Lung channel design bipolar plate. The model was developed using ANSYS FLUENT-15.0 software and simulations were carried out at 100 % humidity conditions. The parameters such as pressure distribution, hydrogen and oxygen concentrations and proton conductivity were briefly presented. The simulation results of Lung channel are presented in the form of polarization curves. The results of a Lung channel compare with the conventional flow channel and observed that the Lung channel gives a less pressure drop, uniform distribution of reactants and high cell voltage at a particular current density. From the observation from the polarization data, the Lung channel performance was 17% higher than triple serpentine flow channel. Keywords: Humidity conditions, Simulation, Lung channel, Polarization curves, Current density.

Virtual Prototyping Based Design Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Gas Delivery Plates

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Zheng ◽  
Zuomin Dong
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Design Optimization ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Virtual Prototyping ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Plate ◽  
Polymer Composite Material ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Element Analysis

Abstract Gas delivery plates are key components for a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The unique functions of these plates impose special requirements on their strength, conductivity and electro-chemistry stability. Cost reduction of these plates can greatly facilities the commercialization of PEM fuel cell, the promising zero emission power plant for the future. In this work, a virtual prototyping study on PEM fuel cell gas delivery plate is carried out. Solid modeling and mathematical modeling are used to form virtual prototypes of the gas delivery plates. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis and nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) on plate structure and flow field properties are used to test the performance of the designed plates and to guide the design optimization. The research focuses on the new fuel cell plate designs that use polymer composite material to form flow field channels. The method of virtual prototyping based design optimization is discussed using a real fuel cell plate design example. This study provides guidelines to fuel cell plate development and demonstrates a new design approach.

Prediction of Flow Crossover in the GDL of PEFC Using Serpentine Flow Channel

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. Saha ◽  
N. Oshima
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Mass Conservation ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Optimum Pressure ◽  
Serpentine Flow Channel

A serpentine flow channel is one of the most common and practical channel layouts for PEFCs since it ensures the removal of water produced in the cell with an acceptable parasitic load. The operating parameters such as temperature, pressure and flow distribution in the flow channel and GDL has a great influence on the performance of PEFCs. It is desired to have an optimum pressure drop because a certain pressure drop helps to remove excess liquid water from the fuel cell, too much of pressure drop would increase parasitic power needed for the pumping air through the fuel cell. In order to accurately estimate the pressure drop precise calculation of mass conservation is necessary. Flow crossover in the serpentine channel and GDL of PEFC has been investigated by using a transient, non-isothermal and three-dimensional numerical model. Considerable amount of cross flow through GDL is found and its influence on the pressure variation in the channel is identified. The results obtained by numerical simulation are also compared with the experimental as well as theoretical solution.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document