An inverse geometry design problem for optimization of single serpentine flow field of PEM fuel cell |
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Authors: | Xiao-Dong Wang Yu-Xian Huang Chin-Hsiang Cheng Jiin-Yuh Jang Duu-Jong Lee Wei-Mon Yan Ay Su |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Thermal Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China;2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;3. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;4. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan;5. Department of Greenergy, National University of Tainan, Tainan 700, Taiwan;6. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fuel Cell Center, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan 300, Taiwan |
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Abstract: | The cathode flow-field design of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) determines its reactant transport rates to the catalyst layer and removal rates of liquid water from the cell. This study optimizes the cathode flow field for a single serpentine PEM fuel cell with 5 channels using the heights of channels 2–5 as search parameters. This work describes an optimization approach that integrates the simplified conjugated-gradient scheme and a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal fuel cell model. The proposed optimal serpentine design, which is composed of three tapered channels (channels 2–4) and a final diverging channel (channel 5), increases cell output power by 11.9% over that of a cell with straight channels. These tapered channels enhance main channel flow and sub-rib convection, both increasing the local oxygen transport rate and, hence, local electrical current density. A diverging, final channel is preferred, conversely, to minimize reactant leakage to the outlet. The proposed combined approach is effective in optimizing the cathode flow-field design for a single serpentine PEMFC. The role of sub-rib convection on cell performance is demonstrated. |
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Keywords: | Optimization Simplified conjugate-gradient method Proton exchange membrane fuel cell Serpentine flow field |
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