Optimization study of the produced electric power by planar PEMFC-SCG

Abstract

In this paper, the mathematical equations that govern the physical phenomena produced during the operation of a single cell of a planar Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with straight channel geometry for the counter- and co-flow arrangements have been solved. A three-dimensional, non-isothermal, steady-state and single-phase model is employed in order to locate the optimal dimensions of the studied fuel cell that deliver the optimum performance. Numerous dimensions such as channels’ width/height, thickness of the gas diffusion layercatalyst layer and membrane thicknesses are investigated. The graphical method is employed to optimize the produced power density versus the operating voltage and current density. From the obtained results, it is found that decreasing the channels’ width/height increases the produced power density and leads to an optimum range dimension. Added to that, the thickness of the gas diffusion layer, catalyst layer and membrane thicknesses have a significant effect on the performance of the PEMFC. The membrane thickness has the biggest impact on this last one’s performance, which can be improved by 181.84 % considering only the studied geometric parameters.