Comparison between 3D and 1D simulations of a regenerative blower for fuel cell applications

A 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis has been carried out to better understand the internal fluid dynamics of a regenerative blower used for hydrogen recirculation in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), Fuel Cell (FC) utilized for automotive applications. The obtained results are used to highlight the motion of the fluid in the vanes and in the side channel of the machine and to verify the main hypotheses put forward concerning the theoretical 1D model set up by the authors in previous works on the basis of the momentum exchange theory. Finally, the CFD analysis has been used to point out the effect of the slope of the vanes on the performance of the regenerative blower, and the results have been compared with those obtained using of the 1D model.

► A hydrogen recirculation blower for automotive fuel cells applications is studied.
► A 3D CFD analysis has been carried out to better understand the internal flows of the machine.
► The CFD results are compared to a 1D model set up by the authors in previous works.
► The main hypotheses put forward for the theoretical 1D model are compatible with the 3D analysis.