Numerical Investigation of Geometrical Dimension of a New Reactant Gasses Flow Field for Improving Performance of PEM Fuel Cell

Distribution of reactant gases in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) plays a pivotal role in current density distribution, temperature distribution, and water concentration. This claim is bound up with the local consumption of reactants and local transport of water through the membrane. Problems such as flooding or drying of the membrane which may reduce the life time of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) can be associated with the non-uniformity of the above parameters. Optimization of the flow-field design is an applicable idea to prevent these undesirable phenomena. In this study, a new cascade type serpentine flow field is introduced and the concept of design is explained. The simulation results validated with published experimental and numerical results were in good agreement. The results illustrated that using this new cascade type of serpentine flow field would lead to uniform current density, uniform local stoichiometry and improvement of water management.