Flow field design and optimization for pem fuel cell bipolar plates

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In this work a three dimensional comprehensive model for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has been developed. This model is used to study the effects of the bipolar plates flow field channels geometry on the performance of the fuel cell. A commercial computational fluid dynamics code is used to solve the mass, momentum, energy and species conservation equations that describe reactants flow within the cell. Reactants consumption, heat generation and water formation due to the electrochemical reactions are accounted for by integrating a set of user-defined subroutines in the simulation process. It is found that the flow field design and channel geometry have significant effects on the overall efficiency and power density generated by the fuel cell. It should be noted that the optimal values for channel dimensions depend significantly on the value of the contact resistance between the bipolar plate and the gas diffusion layer, in addition to pressure losses through the channel.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEFC 2009 - Piero Lunghi Conference, Proceedings of the 3rd European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications Conference
EditorsChiara Barchiesi, Viviana Cigolotti, Michela Chianella, Stephen McPhail, Paola Lunghi
PublisherENEA
Pages59-60
Number of pages2
ISBN (Electronic)9788882862114
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event3rd European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications - Piero Lunghi Conference, EFC 2009 - Rome, Italy
Duration: 15 Dec 200918 Dec 2009

Publication series

NameEFC 2009 - Piero Lunghi Conference, Proceedings of the 3rd European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications Conference

Conference

Conference3rd European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications - Piero Lunghi Conference, EFC 2009
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period15/12/0918/12/09

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