Baffle shape effects on mass transfer and power loss of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with different baffled flow channels

International Journal of Energy ResearchVolume 43, Issue 7 p. 2737-2755 SPECIAL ISSUE - RESEARCH ARTICLE Baffle shape effects on mass transfer and power loss of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with different baffled flow channels Hang Guo, Corresponding Author hangguo@sohu.com orcid.org/0000-0002-6973-1149 MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 China Correspondence Hang Guo, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China. Email: hangguo@sohu.comSearch for more papers by this authorHao Chen, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorFang Ye, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorChong Fang Ma, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 ChinaSearch for more papers by this author Hang Guo, Corresponding Author hangguo@sohu.com orcid.org/0000-0002-6973-1149 MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 China Correspondence Hang Guo, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China. Email: hangguo@sohu.comSearch for more papers by this authorHao Chen, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorFang Ye, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorChong Fang Ma, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, College of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124 ChinaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 04 January 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4328Citations: 16Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Summary In proton exchange membrane fuel cells, baffled flow channels can enhance the reactant transfer and improve the cell performance. Many different baffled flow channels have been numerically studied in previous published papers. However, what kind of baffled flow channels can improve the cell performance most is still unknown. In this simulation work, a two-dimensional, two-phase, nonisothermal, and steady-state model of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is developed. The mass transfer and cell performance of PEMFCs with different baffled flow channels have been numerically compared. Simulation results show that the rectangular baffle can enhance the reactant transfer most and improve the cell performance most; however, the power loss in rectangular baffled flow channel is also the highest. To inherit the advantages and overcome the shortages of the rectangular baffled flow channel, an optimized baffled flow channel is developed. In this newly developed baffled flow channel, the windward side is designed as the streamline shape and the leeward side is designed as the sloped shape. Results of the simulation also show that the optimized baffled flow channel can reduce the power loss accounted by the pumping power in reactant delivering process and the cell performance can be further improved. Citing Literature Volume43, Issue7Special Issue: Innovations in Fuel Cells10 June 2019Pages 2737-2755 RelatedInformation