Investigation of Flow Mal-distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack

Abstract

During the operation of a fuel cell stack, a uniform distribution of reactants from the manifolds to each cell is desired.  An uneven flow distribution results in uneven performance between the cells. Though desired, it is difficult to achieve uniform distribution in practice and it is of interest to analyze the nature and magnitude of those undesirable deviations from ideality. In this research works, an attempt is made to experimentally investigate those deviations using pressure drop in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) stack at various stoichiometric flow rates. Fluctuations in pressure drop and effect of increase in number of cells and stochiometric of reactants are analyzed in this works. In addition the impact of flow patterns such as U-type and Z-type are also discussed here.

Keywords

• PEM Fuel Cell; Flow characterization; pressure drop; U-type and Z-type flow patterns

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