Abstract
A bio-inspired auxiliary fishbone-shaped flow field (AFFF) pattern is proposed and designed at the cathode flow field plate (FFP) of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, in order to enhance under-rib mass transport and water removal from gas diffusion layer (GDL). The bio-inspired AFFF pattern is numerically investigated by a three-dimensional multiphase fuel cell model. It is shown that the AFFF pattern significantly improves under-rib mass transport and water removal ability, hence fuel efficiency is improved. In comparison with the conventional parallel flow field (CPFF) pattern, the new pattern exhibits higher uniformity of reactants and saturation distributions, and thereby improving the operation stability of fuel cells. Furthermore, sub-branch channels of various numbers and widths in the AFFF pattern are evaluated with consideration of electrical contact resistance (ECR) between the FFP and GDL. Under-rib mass transport and water removal is improved when increasing the number and width of sub-branch channels. However, the ECR somehow increases as well. Therefore, counterbalance between under-rib mass transfer and ECR should be considered. Finally, the AFFF pattern with an optimized combination between number and width of sub-branch channels is achieved to improve the maximum power density of fuel cells.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
