Design and optimization of gas channel with groove baffles for PEMFC using genetic algorithm

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is considered as a highly efficient and clean energy conversion technology, however, as the power density increases, conventional gas channels exhibit low mass transfer efficiency and high pumping power consumption. In this study, a novelly designed structure of gas channel with groove baffles is proposed, and a numerical simulation of three-dimensional, multi-physical field is conducted. The traditional smooth flow channel and the rectangular baffled channel are compared with the groove baffled channel. It is found that the pressure drop of the groove baffled channel is substantially less than the rectangular baffled channel, and the current density is higher than that of the traditional smooth flow channel. To obtain the optimal structural parameter of the groove baffle, the genetic algorithm is applied in this study. According to the results, the optimal comprehensive output performance of the cell is achieved for a groove height and width of 0.479 mm and 0.841 mm, respectively. At an operating potential of 0.5 V, the power density of PEMFC with the optimal structure is 3.2 % more than the traditional smooth flow channel. While compared with the rectangular baffled channel, the pumping power consumption is 53.6 % much lower and the overall efficiency is 2.1 % higher for the optimal groove baffled channel. This study will provide guidance for the design and optimization of the PEMFC's gas channels.