This study shows a procedure to optimize polymer exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell gas channels in the systems bipolar plates with the aim of globally optimizing the overall system net power performance. Two geometrical gas flow channel configuration are considered, parallel channel and serpentine. Geometric optimization is carried out to determine the configuration which offers minimum pressure drop within the system and the maximum heat and mass transfer for optimal system performance. The systems are subjected to the constraints of total fixed volume and materials. The systems total and net power, efficiency and polarization curves are presented as a function of system temperature, pressure, geometry and operating parameters. Predicted results are compared successfully against past data involving channel flow profiles in gas channels. The configurations obtained from the geometric optimization reduce the overall pumping power requirement and subsequently cost for the supply of required fuel and oxidants to the fuel cell through the channels.
Skip Nav Destination
2010 14th International Heat Transfer Conference
August 8–13, 2010
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Heat Transfer Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4940-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Thermodynamic Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Stack Gas Channel for Optimal Thermal Performance
Surajudeen O. Obayopo,
Surajudeen O. Obayopo
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Search for other works by this author on:
Tunde Bello-Ochende,
Tunde Bello-Ochende
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Search for other works by this author on:
Joshua P. Meyer
Joshua P. Meyer
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Search for other works by this author on:
Surajudeen O. Obayopo
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Tunde Bello-Ochende
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Joshua P. Meyer
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Paper No:
IHTC14-22233, pp. 29-35; 7 pages
Published Online:
March 1, 2011
Citation
Obayopo, SO, Bello-Ochende, T, & Meyer, JP. "Thermodynamic Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Stack Gas Channel for Optimal Thermal Performance." Proceedings of the 2010 14th International Heat Transfer Conference. 2010 14th International Heat Transfer Conference, Volume 5. Washington, DC, USA. August 8–13, 2010. pp. 29-35. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IHTC14-22233
Download citation file:
11
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
Performance Degradation Tests of Phosphoric Acid Doped Polybenzimidazole Membrane Based High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (April,2015)
A Feasibility Study of Ribbon Architecture for PEM Fuel Cells
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (October,2010)
Design, Fabrication, and Performance Analysis of a Passive Micro-PEM-Fuel-Cell Stack
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2009)
Related Chapters
Effects of Metallic Plate and Objects on Performance of Inverted F Antenna for ISM Band Application
International Conference on Computer and Automation Engineering, 4th (ICCAE 2012)
Mathematical Background
Vibrations of Linear Piezostructures
Joint Polarization Information for Fast Multi-Target Localization in Bistatic MIMO Radar System
International Symposium on Information Engineering and Electronic Commerce, 3rd (IEEC 2011)