Optimization of Flow Channels in a PEM Fuel Cell Based on a Multiobjective Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Energy Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) offer clean and efficient energy conversion.
• Limited energy density and high costs hinder widespread PEMFC adoption.
• Optimizing PEMFC design is crucial for advancing this technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance PEMFC performance by investigating the impact of flow channel blockages.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of different blockage designs on key performance indicators.
• To provide an optimized flow channel design for improved PEMFC operation.

Main Methods:

• Simulation of five distinct PEMFC blockage configurations.
• Application of the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for multi-objective evaluation.
• Analysis of mass transfer, water and thermal management, and electrochemical conversion efficiency.

Main Results:

• Nozzle effects from blockages improved mass transfer and water/thermal management, reducing liquid water by up to 35.8%.
• Elliptical blockages demonstrated the highest increase in electrochemical conversion efficiency (3.42%).
• TOPSIS analysis confirmed elliptical blockages as the most beneficial design.

Conclusions:

• Flow channel modifications, specifically elliptical blockages, significantly enhance PEMFC performance.
• The study offers an optimized PEMFC flow channel design.
• A novel multi-objective evaluation perspective for structural improvements in PEMFCs is presented.