Optimization of Channel Dimensions in Gas Distributor for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

摘要

Experimental measurements and numerical simulation with various channel and land dimensions have been performed to optimize the channel configurations in flow field plates for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Performance measurements of the single cell having active area of 80cm~2 have been made for to substantiate the results from the numerical simulation and to determine the optimum channel and land dimensions. Channel and land widths were varied from 0.5 to 4.5mm and the single cell has flow-fields of serpentine and straight types for the anode and cathode, respectively. From the numerical simulation and experimental measurements, the optimum channel and land dimensions were determined and discussed in terms of gas diffusion and electric conduction.