Theoretical model with experimental validation of a regenerative blower for hydrogen recirculation in a PEM fuel cell system

A theoretical model of a regenerative blower used for the hydrogen recirculation of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) for automotive applications has been implemented and validated by means of experimental data.A momentum exchange theory was used to determine the head-flow rate curves, whereas the circulatory flow rate was determined through a theory based on the consideration of the centrifugal force field in the side channel and in the impeller vane grooves.The model allows a good forecast to be made of the blower behaviour, and only needs its main geometrical characteristics and some fluid-dynamic data as input. For this reason, the model could be very interesting, especially during the first sizing and the design activity of the blower.