Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Pin Dimensions on the Performance of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Featuring a Honeycomb Pin Flow Field

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

Abstract

The performance of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells is heavily influenced by the design of the gas flow field, especially on the cathode side. An effective flow field configuration ensures optimal reactant gas distribution, uniform current density, efficient water and heat management, and improved overall fuel cell efficiency. A novel honeycomb flow field design featuring hexagonal pins, as opposed to traditional channel-based designs, demonstrates potential for enhancing fuel cell performance. The dimensions of the pins and the channels housing them are crucial design factors in this novel approach. This study presents a three-dimensional model that numerically solves the equations of continuity, momentum, energy, charge conservation, and electrochemical kinetics across different regions of the fuel cell using a single-domain methodology. The investigation focuses on how variations in the dimensions of the channels and pins within the honeycomb flow field influence the overall performance of the fuel cell. Key design objectives include achieving uniform distribution of reactant gases and current density, enhancing voltage and power density, and minimizing pressure drop. The findings reveal that in a fuel cell equipped with a honeycomb flow field, the velocity within the pin region is significantly higher, leading to improved oxygen transport to the catalyst layer. The strategic arrangement and dimensions of the pins contribute to a more uniform distribution of oxygen and power density. While this innovative flow field design increases cell voltage and power density, it also results in a higher pressure drop compared to conventional parallel-channel configurations.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1] Wang XD, Duan YY, Yan WM. Novel serpentinebaffle flow field design for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources. 2007;173(1):210–221.
[2] Afshari E, Houreh NB. Numerical predictions of performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell with baffle (s)-blocked flow field designs. International Journal of Modern Physics B. 2014;28(16):1450097.
[3] Taymaz I, Benli M. Numerical study of assembly pressure effect on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Energy. 2010;35(5):2134–2140.
[4] Atyabi SA, Afshari E. Three-dimensional multiphase model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with honeycomb flow field at the cathode side. Journal of cleaner production. 2019;214:738–748.
[5] Reiser CA. Water and heat management in solid polymer fuel cell stack. Google Patents; 1989. US
Patent 4,826,742.
[6] Hsieh SS, Yang SH, Kuo JK, Huang CF, Tsai HH. Study of operational parameters on the performance of micro PEMFCs with different flow fields. Energy Conversion and Management. 2006;47(13-14):1868–1878.
[7] Maia LK, Sousa Jr Rd. Three-dimensional CFD modeling of direct ethanol fuel cells: evaluation of anodic flow field structures. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry. 2017;47:25–37.
[8] Wang Z, Tongsh C, Wang B, Liu Z, Du Q, Jiao K. Operation characteristics of open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell with different cathode flow fields. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2022;49:101681.
[9] Lobato J, Canizares P, Rodrigo MA, Pinar FJ, Ubeda D. Study of flow channel geometry using ´current distribution measurement in a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources. 2011;196(9):4209–4217.
[10] Vaz WS. Multiobjective Optimization of Pin-Type Flow Channels Using a Reinterpretation of Murray’s Law. Electronics. 2021;10(14):1698.
[11] Toghyani S, Atyabi SA, Gao X. Enhancing the specific power of a pem fuel cell powered uav with a novel bean-shaped flow field. Energies. 2021;14(9):2494.
[12] Yan WM, Mei SC, Soong CY, Liu ZS, Song D. Experimental study on the performance of PEM fuel cells with interdigitated flow channels. Journal of Power Sources. 2006;160(1):116–122.
[13] Thitakamol V, Therdthianwong A, Therdthianwong S. Mid-baffle interdigitated flow fields for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. International journal of hydrogen energy. 2011;36(5):3614–3622.
[14] Guo N, Leu MC, Koylu UO. Network based optimization model for pin-type flow field of polymer
electrolyte membrane fuel cell. International journal of hydrogen energy. 2013;38(16):6750–6761.
[15] Marappan M, Palaniswamy K, Velumani T, Chul KB, Velayutham R, Shivakumar P, et al. Performance studies of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with different flow field designs–review. The Chemical Record. 2021;21(4):663–714.
[16] Baharlou-Houreh N, Masaeli N, Afshari E, Mohammadzadeh K. Performance analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with the stair arrangement of obstacles in the cathode channel. International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow. 2023;33(12):3940–3966.
[17] Afshari E. Computational analysis of heat transfer in a PEM fuel cell with metal foam as a flow field. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 2020;139(4):2423–2434.
[18] Wang Y, Wang CY. Transient analysis of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Electrochimica Acta. 2005;50(6):1307–1315.
[19] Masaeli N, Afshari E, Baniasadi E, BaharlouHoureh N. Performance studies of a membranebased water and heat exchanger using serpentine flow channels for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell application. Applied Thermal Engineering. 2023;222:119950.
[20] Ju H, Meng H, Wang CY. A single-phase, non-isothermal model for PEM fuel cells. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 2005;48(7):1303–1315.
[21] Pei P, Chen H. Main factors affecting the lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells in vehicle applications: A review. Applied Energy. 2014;125:60–75.
[22] Carton J, Lawlor V, Olabi A, Hochenauer C, Zauner G. Water droplet accumulation and motion in PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell mini-channels. Energy. 2012;39(1):63–73.
[23] Sierra J, Figueroa-Ram´ırez S, D´ıaz S, Vargas J, Sebastian P. Numerical evaluation of a PEM fuel cell with conventional flow fields adapted to tubular plates. International journal of hydrogen energy. 2014;39(29):16694–16705.
[24] Ticianelli EA, Derouin CR, Srinivasan S. Localization of platinum in low catalyst loading electrodes to to attain high power densities in SPE fuel cells. Journal of electroanalytical chemistry and interfacial electrochemistry. 1988;251(2):275–295.
[25] Pasaogullari U. Heat and water transport models for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Handbook of fuel
cells. 2010;.
[26] Hashemi F, Rowshanzamir S, Rezakazemi M. CFD simulation of PEM fuel cell performance: effect of straight and serpentine flow fields. Mathematical and Computer Modelling. 2012;55(3-4):1540–1557.
[27] Manso A, Marzo F, Barranco J, Garikano X, Mujika MG. Influence of geometric parameters of the flow fields on the performance of a PEM fuel cell. A review. International journal of hydrogen energy. 2012;37(20):15256–15287.
Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Energy Storage
Volume 13, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 17-30

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics