Experimental Investigation on the Anode Flow Field Design for an Air-Cooled Open-Cathode Proton Exchange Membrane...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Energy Conversion
• Materials Science

Background:

• Open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells (OCPEMFCs) rely heavily on flow channel design for efficient operation.
• Flow field parameters critically influence heat and mass transfer between the membrane electrode assembly and the channels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of anode flow field parameters on OCPEMFC performance and temperature characteristics.
• To explore how channel numbers, depths, and widths affect hydrogen transport and cell efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of fluid dynamics and mass transfer within the anode flow field.
• Experimental studies on OCPEMFCs with varied anode channel geometries.
• Evaluation of cell performance and temperature distribution under different operating conditions.

Main Results:

• The number of anode serpentine channels effectively controls hydrogen pressure and flow rate.
• Channel depth and width significantly influence pressure, flow rate, and hydrogen mass transfer, particularly at high current densities.
• An optimal channel depth was identified for maximizing cell performance.

Conclusions:

• Anode flow field design is a key factor in OCPEMFC performance.
• Hydrogen velocity and concentration, influenced by channel structure, are critical for mass transfer.
• Findings align with the field synergy principle, offering insights for OCPEMFC stack design.