Three-dimensional analysis of PEMFCs with different flow channel designs

Three-dimensional models of the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with the conventional flow fields (parallel flow field, Z-type flow field, and serpentine flow field) and the interdigitated flow fields (parallel flow field with baffles and Z-type flow field with baffles) are established in this paper. The effects of the flow-field design and the air flow rate on the cell performance and the pressure drop of the PEMFCs are investigated. The results reveal that the effect of the flow-field design on the current density can be neglected when the operating voltage is greater than 0.6 V. The cell performance is found to increase in the following order: the parallel flow field, the Z-type flow field, the serpentine flow field, the Z-type flow field with baffles, and the parallel flow field with baffles. The Z-type flow field with baffles results in a maximum pressure drop, followed by the serpentine flow field, the parallel flow field with baffles, the Z-type flow field, and the parallel flow field. The parallel flow field with baffles is the best design of the fuel cell by considering the cell performance together with the pressure drop.