Performance investigation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with intersectant flow field

A intersectant flow field on metal bipolar plate was proposed to improve the efficiency of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was employed to optimize the detailed constructions of flow channel. Polarization curve, current density distribution, oxygen distribution and water mass distribution were introduced as the criterions to assist the optimization of proposed flow field. A test system for PEMFC was assembled. The optimal operating parameters of PEMFC test were also proposed. The single serpentine flow field was introduced as the reference to estimate the efficiency of novel flow field. Results showed the optimal flow channel depth and porosity of the intersectant flow field were 0.3 mm and 0.5, respectively. The optimal operating parameters were also obtained based on testing experiments, i.e. the hydrogen flow 300 ml/min, air flow 500 ml/min and operating temperature 80 °C. The comparison tests of the two flow fields released that the performance of the intersectant flow field was indeed better than the single serpentine flow field.