Effect of cell size in metal foam inserted to the air channel of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell for high performance

• Published in: Renewable energy 2018-01, Vol.115, p.663-675
• Main Authors: Shin, Dong Kyu, Yoo, Jin Hyuk, Kang, Dong Gyun, Kim, Min Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Flow field; High performance PEMFC; Metal foam; Performance improvement; Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.08.085

In this study, metal foam insert was suggested as a novel flow path for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell to improve the performance of fuel cell. For the experimental works in this study, four types of metal foams which have different cell size were used, and performance and characteristics of fuel cell with each metal foam were investigated by several methods. As a result, we found that the maximum power of fuel cell was increased about 50.6% by using proper metal foam compared to the conventional fuel cell with serpentine flow filed. We could also suggest a new flow path made by two metal foams which have different cell sizes. The mixed metal foam was made by combining the metal foam with large contact surface area to the upstream location of flow field and the metal foam with large diffusion area to the downstream location. Eventually, we could get about 60.1% of maximum power increase with this mixed metal foam as a flow path. Finally, the results obtained in this study can suggest a new flow path of PEMFC for improved performance and give a new concept of dividing flow field to make fuel cell operate more effectively. •Performance of PEMFC is improved with metal foam as a cathode flow field.•Performance characteristics of fuel cell are varied with pore size of metal foam.•Effect of metal foam pore size is proved by several methods.•Novel mixed metal foam flow field is suggested to make PEMFC performance improved.•Maximum power of fuel cell is improved about 60.1% with novel metal foam flow field.