Computational analysis of fuel saving by using porous-end configuration for a PEM fuel cell

In the present study, a novel porous-end PEMFC inspired by the characteristics of open-end and dead-end PEMFCs is proposed for fuel saving. For this purpose, a porous media region with a certain thickness is added to the outlet region of the anode channel of an open-end PEMFC. The effect of porous media thickness at the anode channel on the current density and hydrogen mass flow was numerically analyzed. Results indicate that in comparison to the base model PEMFC, the presence of porous media at the end of the anode channel of porous-end PEMFC leads to an increase in the pressure and a decrease in the velocity magnitude in the anode channel. Results illustrate that the porous-end PEMFC with t = 1 mm thickness can be an adequate choice to gain an optimum design for the porous-end configuration. This conclusion becomes more highlighted when the results give the 66.17% reduction in fuel consumption.