INLET/OUTLET MANIFOLD PERFORMANCE DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS FOR PEM FUEL CELLS

A three-dimensional triple pass PEMFC model is developed with 25.079 sq cm membrane area with 11 triple serpentine flow channels. The model consists of two flow channels separated by diffusion layers and MEA. There are 20 serpentine passes in the flow path, so that the flow is approximately 60 cm long in the axial direction with 0.1 (height) x 0.08 (width) sq cm cross-section flow area. Each diffusion layer has dimension of 0.025 (height) x 3.20 (width) x 3.20 (length) cu cm. A total of 34x200x28 cells (elements) are used to model the fuel cell. The transport of water and proton is simulated by source terms in control volumes in contact with the membrane. Four different inlet/outlet flow configurations are envisioned. To include the effects of sub-gaskets on the performance of the fuel cell under various inlet/outlet configurations, 4.472-cm by 4.472-cm sub-gaskets are included on both sides of the membrane. The sub-gasket reduces the active membrane area to 19.278 sq cm. Fine grid spacing is incorporated in the inlet and outlet regions in all three dimensions to capture the possible effects of the different inlet/outlet manifold designs. For the fuel cell dimensions of 5.06 cm x 5.06 cm x 0.2822 cm in the x, z, and y directions, the corresponding numbers of grids are 306, 106, and 28, respectively, with a total of 908,208 cells (elements). Calculated values of total current and power for all eight cases are presented. Obtained results indicate that the case with 3 parallel inlets and no gaskets is the optimum design pattern for the inlet/outlet manifold configurations considered.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Number: R-03-UTC-FUEL4-IET-04.
• Corporate Authors:

  South Carolina State University, Orangeburg

  James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center
  300 College Street, NE
  Orangeburg, SC  United States  29117

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Naseri-Neshat, H
• Publication Date: 2004-6-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer models; Design; Fuel cells; Gaskets; Manifolds
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00977215
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Report
• Files: UTC, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 26 2004 12:00AM