Turbulent flow in the distribution header of a PEM fuel cell stack

Abstract

A numerical investigation of the flowfield in a model distribution header manifold of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack is conducted. The computational model simulates two segments of an experimental setup of a pair of model headers which replicate the headers of a fuel cell stack. The model headers consist of an inlet and outlet sections connected with a plate containing an array of holes that replicate the unit cells. The flow structures in the outlet header are rather complex and are the result of the superposition of a series of impinging jets in a confined space in the presence of crossflow. The flow from each hole, which represents an individual cell outlet, enters the outlet header as a jet stream and is subjected to a crossflow. Large Eddy Simulations (LES) are performed for a portion of the outlet header to investigate the complex turbulent flow and related structures under different crossflow conditions, and are complemented by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements. The LES results show that two large vortical structures are formed in the header cross-section, with a high-speed round jet from the cell outlet holes forcing a diversion of the crossflow, dividing it into two separate branches. Investigation of the flow restructuring after a blockage of one of the jets is performed. Simulation results using a slot opening for the jet show flow instabilities. The results of this study highlight the unsteady and highly turbulent nature of the flow in the header and provide a characterization of the complex three-dimensional structure of the flow. The flowfield and flow structures may impact the overall pressure drop along the header and the effective cross-sectional area for the flow leaving the header. The observations and insights obtained from the LES simulation and PIV measurements point to the need to further investigate the impact on flow sharing in a stack of the flowfield development in the outlet header.