Numerical Simulation of a Novel Flow Channel with Aligned Concave-Convex Cavities to Enhance the Performance of PEMFC

The bipolar plates are important components of fuel cells and its characteristics and cross-section shape have a significant influence on the performance of PEMFCs. A new-type flow channel with aligned fan-shape concave-convex cavities is presented. A 3D, single-phase model for PEMFC with the new-type flow channel is developed. The polarization curve, current density distribution as well as the oxygen concentration distribution of straight channel and the new-type flow channel are compared through CFD simulation. The performance of PEMFC with the new-type flow channel has been more improved than that with straight flow channels. The simulation results also show that the new-type flow channel with aligned fan-shaped concave-convex cavities improves the current density and the net power is increased by 2.6%. Moreover, the proposed novel flow channel is also very simple and inexpensive for manufacturing.