Mechanism of water transport in serpentine cathode channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The water motion in a simplified serpentine channel is investigated to study the dynamic water behavior in the serpentine channel in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The effects of corner shapes, the number of water inlet pores, the air inlet velocity and the water inlet velocity on the removal of water are discussed. Results show that the water drains out more quickly in a channel with a round corner than in a channel with a sharp corner. A channel with hydrophobic walls has both a higher water removal frequency and higher water coverage on the bottom wall than does a channel with hydrophilic walls.

► Performances of channels with either a round or a sharp corner are studied.
► Effect of the water emergence on other water emerging from the channel is investigated.
► Water motions under different operating conditions (different air and water inlet velocities) are discussed.