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Flow Field Orientation Effect on Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell using Nanocatalyst Support

Satish Raj Kuchipudi, Shaik Shadulla, S.V. Naidu

Abstract


Orientation of flow channels and relative positions of cathode and anode outlet manifolds are vital due to gravity effect on water that condenses inside a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).  Anode and cathode manifolds may be oriented in co-flow (same direction), counter-flow (opposite direction) or in cross-flow (perpendicular) configurations.  Flow field orientation allows water exchange through the membrane due to concentration gradient.  It has a good effect on liquid water removal upon shutdown of the PEMFC.  Hence flow orientation can be considered as a crucial parameter in the design of PEMFC with efficient water removal.  In the present work, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was fabricated using Nafion® 212 membrane and electrodes were prepared using equal loadings (0.4mg/cm2 on anode and 0.4mg/cm2 on cathode) of 20% Pt/MWCNT nanocatalyst, which was synthesized in-house.  The fabricated MEA was tested in a single PEMFC assembly using graphite plates with serpentine-parallel geometry having 25 flow channels.  Pure H2 and O2 were used as the fuel and oxidant respectively.  Different orientations of the flow field plates, i.e., co-flow, counter-flow and cross-flow were used to study cell performance under the influence of variable operating parameters such as cell temperature and gas humidification temperatures.  Results were presented in the form of polarization and power curves, which were analyzed to find the optimum flow channel orientation that delivers maximum performance while displaying enhanced water removal characteristics.

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References


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