Performance improvement ofproton‐exchangemembrane fuel cells through different gas injection channel geometries

The performance of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is strongly dependent on the geometry, flow channel configuration, and size. The present work numerically studies the performance of PEM fuel cells through the design of gas injection channels of different geometries. Computational fluid dynamics was adopted to solve the governing equations. The finite volume method was used to discretize and solve the equations. The channel geometries included spiral quasi (Model A), parallel (Model B), and pin (Model C), which have the same dimensions as the base serpentine model. The performance of the system was validated using the base model, and the simulation was carried out at a voltage of 0.6 V. The present study primarily aimed to utilize novel PEM fuel cell designs and improve their performance. The highest current density and output power were found to occur in Model C, whereas Model B had the lowest current density and output power. The temperature distribution was uniform in Model C and the base model. Moreover, Model C had the lowest water production; therefore, water immersion would not interrupt the fuel cell. On the other hand, Model B was observed to experience the largest liquid water generation, leading to an interrupted fuel cell. Model C had the lowest pressure loss and, therefore, lower power was required to pump gasses through the channel. It was found that Models C and B had the highest and lowest performances, respectively.