A novel combined flow field design and performance analysis of proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell

The design and optimization of the flow field structure significantly impact the performance of the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. However, the pumping power should be added to the flow field selection criteria system in the flow field evaluation criteria of the electrolyzer. This paper first establishes and experimentally verifies a three-dimensional, two-phase, steady-state, non-isothermal proton exchange membrane electrolyzer model. Secondly, a new type of combined flow field structure is proposed by combining the cross-finger flow field, serpentine flow field, and cross-flow field and compared with the traditional flow field in many aspects. Finally, an evaluation index (current density-pressure ratio) considering pumping power is proposed. The results show that the current density of the combined flow field is 7.6% higher than that of the serpentine flow field, 13.0% higher than that of the cross-finger flow field, 13.7% higher than that of the double-serpentine flow field, and 29.4% higher than that of the parallel flow field when the voltage is 2.0 V. The combined flow field has the optimal performance, increasing the reaction rate and improving the gas discharge efficiency. In addition, the combined flow field has the best current density-pressure ratio. This means the combined flow field has lower energy consumption than the conventional one under the same performance conditions. The study's results can provide a new research idea and theoretical basis for developing a new type of flow field in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer and provide simulation and experimental support for developing a high-performance flow field.