Numerical analysis of coolant flow field for maintaining the desired temperature profile along the PEM fuel cell

When it comes to replacing fossil fuels in the near future, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are a viable option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, the high cost and complexity of PEM fuel cells are currently a significant barrier to commercialization. Most issues associated with PEMFC operation could be avoided if high membrane hydration is achieved without the necessity for external humidification while preventing excessive water accumulation within the cell. One of the effective methods to achieve such an operation is a variable temperature flow field, based on maintaining non-uniform temperature along the flow field of the cell, thus manipulating the evaporation pressure along the flow field. In this study, the Computational Fluid Dynamics model is developed for a full-scale single cell of 50 cm
²
with coolant channels. The objective of the study is to develop the flow field for coolant channels which will result in a uniform temperature gradient along the entire active area of the cell, thus enabling the application of the variable temperature flow field even when serpentine reactant channels are used. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to prescribe and maintain variable temperature flow fields for serpentine reactant flow fields, and the developed coolant flow field will be used as a basis to develop a new experimental setup and later to develop a small PEM fuel cell stack with higher performance when compared to standard isothermal operation.