Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B (대한기계학회논문집B)

The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers (대한기계학회)
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Numerical Study of Land/Channel Flow-field Optimization in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs) (I) -The Effects of Land/Channel Flow-field on Current Density and HFR Distributions-

고분자전해질형연료전지의 가스 채널 최적화를 위한수치적연구(I) -가스 채널 치수가 전류밀도와 HFR 분포에 미치는영향성-

  • Published : 2008.09.01
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Abstract

The performance and durability of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs) are strongly influenced by the uniformity of current density, temperature, species distributions inside a cell In order to obtain uniform distributions in them, the optimal design of flowfield must be a key factor. In this paper, the numerical study of land/channel flowfield optimizations is performed, using a multi-dimensional, multi-phase, non-isothermal PEFC model. Numerical simulations reveal more uniform current density and HFR(High Frequency Resistance) distributions and thus better PEFC performance with narrower land/channel width where the less severe oxygen depletion effect near the land region and more uniform contact resistance variation along the in-plane direction are achieved. The present study elucidates detailed effects of land/channel width and assist in identifying optimal flow-field design strategies for the operation of PEFCs.

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References

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