Abstract
Thin stamped bipolar plates (BPPs) are viewed as promising alternatives to traditional graphite BPPs in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Metallic BPPs provide good thermal/electrical conductivity and exhibit high mechanical strength, to support the loads within the stack. However, BPPs manufactured by stamping processes are prone to defects. In this study, the effect of the tool’s geometry on the thin sheet formability is investigated through finite element simulation. Despite the broad variety of flow field designs, most of BPPs comprise two representative zones. Hence, in order to reduce the computational cost, the finite element analysis is restricted to these two zones, where the deformation induced by the stamping tools is investigated. The channel/rib width, the punch/die fillet radii, and the channel depth are the parameters studied. The analysis is conducted for a stainless steel SS304 with a thickness of 0.15 mm. The results show that the maximum value of thinning occurs always in the U-bend channel section, specifically in the fillet radius of the die closest to the axis of revolution.
Highlights
In the last years, fuel cell technology has received increasing attention due to the growing concerns about the depletion of fossil fuels and climate changes [1]
Since the performance of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is strongly affected by the flow field design, several numerical models have been developed to analyse the coupled transport process and electrochemical reaction in PEM fuel cells [28]
The metal sheet considered in this study is of austenitic stainless steel SS304 with a thickness of of 0.15 mm, which is commonly used in the sheet metal forming of bipolar plates (BPPs) [25]
Summary
Fuel cell technology has received increasing attention due to the growing concerns about the depletion of fossil fuels and climate changes [1]. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells emerged as one promising candidate to replace internal combustion engines in the automotive industry, producing electricity from the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen [2]. They are characterised by: (i) low operation temperatures (
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
