Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis on Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Performance using Honeycomb Flow Channel

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems have the ability to meet our energy demands in the near future since they are green, economical, and clean. They can also use hydrogen as a direct fuel. One of the key design factors influencing the PEMFC's performance is flow field configuration. The configuration of the flow channel in a PEMFC has a profound effect on reactant distribution and water management within the fuel cell. Current study aims to ameliorate fuel cell (FC) performance, water management, and pressure drop (PD) across channels. ANSYS Fluent 18.2 software, including its PEMFC add-on module, is utilized to execute a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of a 3D model of a PEMFC with a flow channel shaped like a honeycomb structure. A polarization curve, as well as factors such as PD, hydrogen and oxygen concentrations, membrane water content, and current density distribution along flow channels, have been included in the simulation results. The findings suggest that when the FC is operated at 0.45V, homogeneous reactant consumption and greater power and current densities are achieved, and, water generation is high across the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA).