Multi-Criteria Shape Optimization of Flow Fields for Electrochemical Cells

Shape optimization of flow fields for electrochemical cells is performed. Simulation models of the flow field are introduced with and without the porous transport layer. The latter model is less detailed and used for shape optimization whereas the former one is used to validate the obtained results. Three objective functions are proposed based on the uniformity of the flow and residence time as well as the wall shear stress. After considering the respective optimization problems separately, techniques from multi-criteria optimization are used to treat the conflicting objective functions systematically. The results highlight the potential of this approach for generating novel flow field designs for electrochemical cells. Techniques from shape and multi-criteria optimization are used to improve electrochemical cells, focusing on the shape of the cell flow field. Objective functions based on the uniformity of flow and residence time as well as the wall shear stress are considered, to show how these techniques can be used to create novel flow field designs. image