COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF VARIANT DESIGNS OF THE
BIPOLAR PLATE FLOW FIELDS FOR PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL
Abstract
Bipolar plates in the fuel cells are mechanical components chiefly
responsible for power variation and even distribution of fuel and
oxidant at the membrane exchange assembly. To ensure the fuel cell
optimal performance and longevity of the membrane the flow field
pressures need to be in the optimum range. In this study, a combination
of existing and new designs of bipolar plate flow Fields for 100 × 100mm
area membrane exchange assembly Size have been modelled and studied with
the help of computational fluid dynamics. A total of six variant designs
have been analyzed. An attempt is made to understand the most efficient
channel design which results in a good flow field & low-pressure drop.
The simulation studies indicate that the serpentine channel with two
channels-opposite inlets-outlets provides the most uniform pressure drop
and the best fuel distribution and is 10% better than the serpentine
conventional single-channel bipolar plate Flow fields.