Regulating flow by Y-shaped blocks to improve performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

IF 5 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Pub Date : 2025-05-14 DOI:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2025.127246

Tongxi Zheng , Mingxin Liu , Yang Luan , Ke Jiang , Xunkang Su , Yihui Feng , Yongbang Chen , Mi Wang , Zhenning Liu , Guolong Lu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) is significantly influenced by the flow field of bipolar plate. Herein, Y-shaped blocks are installed in flow channels to separate the flow of gas reactants, thereby improving the mass transfer and performance of PEMFC. First, the ranges for three key parameters of the Y-shaped blocks including base width (Y₁), base length (Y₂) and dividing angle (A) have been determined individually. Then, the optimal geometric parameters have been obtained for the Y-shaped blocks by Response Surface Methodology in a single channel PEMFC. Two flow fields with the optimal Y-shaped blocks have been built based on parallel flow field (PFF) and serpentine flow field (SFF). PFF with Y-shaped blocks (Y-PFF) and SFF with Y-shaped blocks (Y-SFF) increase the net power density of PEMFC by 25.6 % and 17.4 %, in comparison with PFF and SFF respectively. Such a performance enhancement is mainly attributable to the improved mass transfer as indicated by the secondary flow at the tail of the block and the increase of local pressure between the blocks. Meanwhile, the use of Y-shaped blocks can also achieve better liquid water removal. This innovative flow field design provides valuable insights for flow regulation in channels.

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通过y型块体调节流量提高质子交换膜燃料电池性能

质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）的性能受到双极板流场的显著影响。其中，在流道中安装y形块体，分离气体反应物的流动，从而改善PEMFC的传质和性能。首先，分别确定了y形块基宽（Y1）、基长（Y2）、分度角(A)三个关键参数取值范围。然后，利用响应面法得到了单通道PEMFC中y形块体的最优几何参数。在平行流场（PFF）和蛇形流场（SFF）的基础上，建立了具有最优y形块的两个流场。与PFF和SFF相比，带y形块的PFF （Y-PFF）和带y形块的SFF （Y-SFF）分别使PEMFC的净功率密度提高了25.6%和17.4%。这种性能的增强主要是由于块体尾部的二次流和块体之间局部压力的增加所表明的传质改善。同时，使用y型砌块也能达到较好的除液效果。这种创新的流场设计为通道内的流动调节提供了有价值的见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 工程技术-工程：机械

CiteScore

10.30

自引率

13.50%

发文量

1319

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer is the vehicle for the exchange of basic ideas in heat and mass transfer between research workers and engineers throughout the world. It focuses on both analytical and experimental research, with an emphasis on contributions which increase the basic understanding of transfer processes and their application to engineering problems. Topics include: -New methods of measuring and/or correlating transport-property data -Energy engineering -Environmental applications of heat and/or mass transfer