Abstract
Bipolar plates (BPs) are one of the most important components in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) due to the numerous functions they perform. The objective of the research work described in this paper was to develop a simplified and validated method based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), aimed at the analysis and study of the influence of geometrical parameters of BPs on the operation of a cell. A complete sensibility analysis of the influence of dimensions and shape of the BP can be obtained through a simplified CFD model without including the complexity of other components of the PEMFC. This model is compared with the PEM Fuel Cell Module of the FLUENT software, which includes the physical and chemical phenomena relevant in PEMFCs. Results with both models regarding the flow field inside the channels and local current densities are obtained and compared. The results show that it is possible to use the simple model as a standard tool for geometrical analysis of BPs, and results of a sensitivity analysis using the simplified model are presented and discussed.
Highlights
Bipolar Plates (BPs) are very significant devices in the operation of fuel cells as final performance and cost will depend on the design of this component
The results show that it is possible to use the simple model as a standard tool for geometrical analysis of BPs, and results of a sensitivity analysis using the simplified model are presented and discussed
The simplified Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is designed for steady state operation and isothermal conditions, and supplies information about the influence of BPs geometry without including the complex phenomena that occur in the MEA
Summary
Bipolar Plates (BPs) are very significant devices in the operation of fuel cells as final performance and cost will depend on the design of this component. Software tools are widely used to evaluate the flow behaviour in the channels of BPs. In this paper, a simplified CFD model aimed to the analysis of geometrical influence of BPs in fuel cell is presented and validated against results provided by a more sophisticated tool, the PEMFC Module of the FLUENT software. A simplified CFD model aimed to the analysis of geometrical influence of BPs in fuel cell is presented and validated against results provided by a more sophisticated tool, the PEMFC Module of the FLUENT software This CFD tool models the electrochemistry, mass and current continuity, liquid water generation and transport, membrane humidification, electric losses, energy evacuation and other phenomena [3]. The advantage of full 3D fluid dynamical simulation is obtained without the penalty of resolving additional variables related to complex physics such as electrochemistry
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