Mass transfer analysis of improved serpentine flow field in fuel cells considering spatial traversal

• Published in: Ionics 2024-02, Vol.30 (2), p.929-941
• Main Authors: Wang, Xuanying, Zhao, Youqun, Guo, Shuo, Lin, Fen, Pan, Chenbing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Mass transfer; Optical and Electronic Materials; Pressure drop; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Renewable and Green Energy; Water discharge; Water distribution; Water engineering
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-023-05308-0

The excellent performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) requires the combined efforts of several components, and one of the most important influences is the flow field design shape of the bipolar plate (BP). An excellent flow field can homogenize the fuel distribution and promote water discharge with good pressure drop. A novel serpentine channel is proposed considering space traversal, and the channel is designed on the basis of Peano curves. Comparing the Peano channel with the serpentine channel, the findings demonstrate the Peano channel has better power density, higher oxygen–hydrogen content, more balanced water distribution. Nevertheless, due to the undesirable impact of pressure drop, the bend of the Peano channel has been modified to a circular arc to address this concern. Subsequently, it has been ascertained that the pressure drop has been reduced without significantly affecting the other properties.