Effect of cathode operation parameters on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with curved wing vortex generator by response surface method

Abstract

AbstractWith the increasing popularity of fuel cells, improving their power density and the fuel cell system efficiency has become very topical. This study used the curved wing vortex generator to generate a secondary flow in the cathode flow channel to improve the performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The curved wing's structure and arrangement effects on the performance of fuel cells were numerically simulated. Next, to summarize the combined effects of cathode operating conditions on the performance of PEMFC, this study used the response surface method to assess the influence of operating conditions variables on the performance target of PEMFC with curved wings. The combined effects of cathode operating conditions, namely temperature, pressure, reactant stoichiometry, and relative humidity, on the system efficiency and power density of the fuel cell system were investigated. The predictive correlations between these variables were also fitted. The installation of curved wings promoted the diffusion of reactants, as well as improved the uniformity of temperature distribution and the discharge of liquid water in the fuel cell, enhancing its overall performance. Among the four operating parameters under study, the most significant effect on the fuel cell power density was provided by the temperature, followed by pressure, humidity, and reactant stoichiometry. The fuel cell efficiency was the most significantly improved by increasing the relative humidity, while temperature increase had the second‐best impact, followed by pressure, and reactant stoichiometry.