Exploring the sustainability of serpentine flow-field fuel cell, straight channel PEM fuel cells hight temperature through numerical analysis

Abstract

This study focuses on investigating the performance dynamics of high-temperature Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells, with an emphasis on critical design parameters. Utilizing a comprehensive mathematical model, the research explores concentration profiles, current density profiles, and polarization curves within a three-dimensional, isothermal, steady-state PEM fuel cell.

The model incorporates the intricate processes of gas transport in anode and cathode channels, diffusion in catalyst layers, and the transport of water and hydronium ions in both the polymer electrolyte and catalyst layers. Additionally, it accounts for electrical current transport in the solid phase. Simulations conducted with Comsol Multiphysics 6.1 demonstrate a robust alignment between model results and experimental polarization data obtained at 180 °C. Optimal conditions for performance are outlined, specifying an inlet hydrogen gas velocity of 0.12 m/s and an inlet air velocity of 1.2 m/s, with consideration for a proton conductivity of 9.825 S/m.

In a parallel investigation, numerical analysis assesses the sustainability of Serpentine Flow-Field PEM fuel cells, using critical parameters. The model applied in this research considers gas, water, and electrical current transport across various layers of the fuel cell, with a crucial focus on optimizing the membrane electrode assembly's design. The finite element method and ANSYS Fluent are employed for model solution.

This study contributes significantly to the understanding of HT-PEM fuel cell dynamics, providing insights into the interdependencies of design parameters and their impact on system performance. The study emphasizes the pivotal roles of air and hydrogen inlet velocities in shaping fuel cell performance, elucidating the intricate dynamics dictating reactant distributions within diverse cell components.