Numerical insight into the impact of DBD plasma actuators as vortex generators in a PEM fuel cell

• Utilizing DBD plasma actuator as a vortex generator in a PEMFC. • Generating vortices in the cathode channel improves the power density of PEMFC. • Generating vortices significantly decreases the blower power consumption . • Different arrangements of DBD actuators in the cathode channel are examined. The improvement of performance in PEM fuel cells, recognized as a promising clean energy technology, has consistently been a topic of significant interest. In the present study, the effect of using dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators as vortex generators in the cathode channel of PEM fuel cell is numerically investigated by computational fluid dynamics simulations. This approach aims to enhance the fuel cell performance and reduce blower power consumption. To this end, two DBD plasma actuators with identical geometric and operational parameters are placed on the side walls of the cathode channel. These actuators attempt to induce a secondary flow jet perpendicular to the direction of the airflow passing through the channel, which generates symmetrical vortices in the cathode channel. These vortices improves the uniformity of oxygen concentration in the cathode channel and reaction zone, which improves fuel cell performance and power density compared to the base fuel cell. Furthermore, at low voltages of the fuel cell, the effect of vortex generation on performance improvement is more noticeable. Also, results indicate that generating vortices in the cathode channel increases the fuel cell’s power density by up to 0.83% and decreases the airflow rate and blower power consumption by up to 37% and 35.4%, respectively, compared to the base fuel cell.