Numerical Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance With a Lung Serpentine Flow Field

ABSTRACT Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are regarded as the best clean energy conversion technology because of their smaller number of emissions and higher efficiency. This numerical investigation used two different flow channel designs—the serpentine flow field (SFF) and the lung serpentine flow field (LSFF)—with active areas of 5 by 5 cm. The simulations are performed to determine a number of important factors, such as mass fraction, liquid water activity, temperature distribution, pressure drop, current flow density and membrane water content. The comparisons between the two flow channel designs were made. Based on the data, it can be concluded that the lung serpentine design outperforms its serpentine channel. Increased reactant utilization within the cell, which results in greater electrochemical performance, is suggested by the higher current density shown in the lung serpentine design.