Non-isothermal transport phenomenon and cell performance of a cathodic PEM fuel cell with a baffle plate in a tapered channel

This study uses a projection finite element analysis with an element-by-element preconditioned conjugate gradient method to investigate the non-isothermal tapered flow channel installed with a baffle plate for enhancing cell performance in the cathodic side of a PEMFC. The parameters studies including tapered ratio (0.25 ∼ 1.0) and gap ratio (0.005 ∼ 0.2) on the cell performance have been explored in detail. The results indicate that the stronger composite effect of tapered flow channel and baffle blockage provides a better convection heat transfer performance and a higher fuel flow velocity and thus enhances the cell performance.