Numerical investigation of 3D rhombus designed PEMFC on the cell performance

ABSTRACT

A numerical 3D procedure is presented based on the Finite Volume Method to solve the governing equations of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with rhombus design. We evaluated these equations in both the anode and cathode gas channels. In the present research, we examined the impact of rhombus design on the output characteristics of PEMFC under appropriate operating conditions and verified the outputs with experimental data. The water accumulation has a significant effect on fuel cell performance. We studied different aspects of the fuel cell to obtain the water accumulation and characteristics’ distribution of fluid flow in the gas channel and their influence on the performance of PEMFC. The current intensity and power density are the most critical elements of a fuel cell. Model B has increased the current density by one $A/c{m}^2$ compared to the base model. The cell power consumption has been reduced by 1/4 and 1/8 ratios. The pressure drop in the presented models has been significantly reduced and controlled. The electrical power generated by Model B is 1.5 $w/c{m}^2$ higher than the base model. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) governing equations.

KEYWORDS:

• PEM fuel cell
• Water transport
• Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)
• Performance
• Numerical modeling