Determination of the optimal active area for proton exchange membrane fuel cells with parallel, interdigitated or serpentine designs
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 3823-3832 |
Journal / Publication | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 9 |
Publication status | Published - May 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
Abstract
Effects of active area size on steady-state characteristics of a working PEM fuel cell, including local current densities, local oxygen transport rates, and liquid water transport were studied by applying a three-dimensional, two-phase PEM fuel cell model. The PEM fuel cells were with parallel, interdigitated, and serpentine flow channel design. At high operating voltages, the size effects on cell performance are not noticeable owing to the occurrence of oxygen supply limit. The electrochemical reaction rates are high at low operating voltages, producing large quantity of water, whose removal capability is significantly affected by flow channel design. The cells with long parallel flow field experience easy water accumulation, thereby presenting low oxygen transport rate and low current density. The cells with interdigitated and serpentine flow fields generate forced convection stream to improve reactant transport and liquid water removal, thereby leading to enhanced cell performance and different size effect from the parallel flow cells. Increase in active area significantly improves performance for serpentine cells, but only has limited effect on that of interdigitated cells. Size effects of pressure drop over the PEM cells were also discussed. © 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.
Research Area(s)
- Active area, Liquid water transport, Proton exchange membrane fuel cell, Size effect, Two-phase model
Bibliographic Note
Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].
Citation Format(s)
Determination of the optimal active area for proton exchange membrane fuel cells with parallel, interdigitated or serpentine designs. / Wang, Xiao-Dong; Zhang, Xin-Xin; Yan, Wei-Mon et al.
In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 34, No. 9, 05.2009, p. 3823-3832.
In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 34, No. 9, 05.2009, p. 3823-3832.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review