Innovative Designs for Enhanced Performance of Hydrogen-based Fuel Cells
Key Ideas
- Fuel cells, particularly PEMFCs, offer a promising solution for continuous and efficient electric power generation with hydrogen as the fuel source.
- The focus of this paper is on optimizing the design of bipolar plates within hydrogen-based fuel cells to improve gas distribution and overall performance.
- Various unconventional flow field designs inspired by nature have shown enhanced current densities and reduced pressure losses, contributing to better fuel cell performance.
- Studies have explored different flow field configurations, such as serpentine, Z, and W flow fields, to optimize gas distribution and performance in hydrogen-based fuel cells.
The transition to electric vehicles powered by alternative sources like hydrogen is gaining traction to reduce pollution. Fuel cells, specifically Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), are being explored as a reliable power source due to their continuous energy supply and high efficiency. This paper delves into the study of a hydrogen-based PEM fuel cell, focusing on the design optimization of bipolar plates crucial for gas distribution. The flow dynamics within the bipolar plate are essential for even gas distribution across the cell electrodes. Traditional serpentine flow fields excel in water removal but lack efficient gas distribution. Innovative designs inspired by nature's mechanisms, such as human lungs and leaf structures, have shown improved performance in fuel cells. Experiments with unconventional flow field designs have demonstrated enhanced current densities and reduced pressure losses, leading to overall better performance. Moreover, advancements like a bilateral track flow field have shown significant improvements in gas distribution. Different flow field configurations, including serpentine, Z, and W flow fields, have been tested, with the W flow field showing promising results. The current study focuses on an innovative flow field design with two inlets and two outlets connected by serpentine channels to achieve uniform gas distribution and efficient water purging. This study aligns with previous research emphasizing the importance of optimized flow dynamics for enhanced performance in hydrogen-based fuel cells.
Topics
Fuel Cells
Innovation
Research
PEMFC
Bipolar Plates
Flow Dynamics
Performance Improvement
Experimental Design
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