Reticulated porous and parallel channel cathode flow fields in real scale polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: A comparative experimental study |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran;2. Institute of Materials and Energy, Iranian Space Research Center, Isfahan, Iran;1. School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China;2. Institute of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China;3. College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA;1. School of Automotive Engineering The State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Transmissions Chongqing Automotive Collaborative Innovation Centre Chongqing University, Chongqing, China;2. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore;3. Chongqing Changan Automobile Company Limited, Jiangbei District, Chongqing, China |
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| Abstract: | This paper focuses on understanding the effect of reticulated porous cathode flow fields in real scale close and open cathode polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in terms of their thermo-electrical performance. This research contributes to addressing challenges with PEMFCs linked to oxygen supply to the cathode and proper mixing of gasses as well as water removal issues. Parallel channel and porous cathode flow fields in both open and closed cathode PEMFCs of medium scale (active area of 15 × 15 cm2) have been investigated. The porous material consisted of 20 pores per inch with a porosity level of 80%. The cells’ polarisation and impedance characteristics have been analysed. The porous flow field has been found providing better electrical performance in closed cathode PEMFC compared to the open cathode. Improvements in gas diffusion and temperature uniformity were observed with porous flow field; however, water removal has been observed challenging, which need to be addressed before the benefits of using porous flow field are fully realised. |
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| Keywords: | PEMFC performance Metal foam Parallel channel Closed cathode flow field Open cathode flow field |
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