3D Analysis of a New Radial Channel for PEMFCs and Comparison With a Traditional Channeled System

The present study shows a 3D analysis of a new radial geometry for a PEM fuel cell flow field. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of this configuration on the fuel cell performance. The geometry is proposed with the objective to increase the fuel cell performance while reducing the pressure drop. In order to compare the results, a conventional commercial geometry was also analyzed and then both geometries were compared via polarization and power curves. The geometry proposed in this work shows quite a good improvement with respect to conventional geometries reducing the pressure drop and generating also a good power.Copyright © 2010 by ASME