Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is majorly used for
power generation without producing any emission. In PEMFC, the water generated
in the cathode heavily affects the performance of fuel cell which needs better water
management. The flow channel designs, dimensions, shape and size of the
rib/channel, effective area of the ...
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is majorly used for
power generation without producing any emission. In PEMFC, the water generated
in the cathode heavily affects the performance of fuel cell which needs better water
management. The flow channel designs, dimensions, shape and size of the
rib/channel, effective area of the flow channel and material properties are considered
for better water management and performance enhancement of the PEMFC in
addition to the inlet reactant’s mass flow rate, flow directions, relative humidity,
pressure and temperature. With the purpose of increasing the output energy of the
fuel cell, many flow field designs are being developed continuously. In this paper,
the performance of various conventional, modified, hybrid and new flow field
designs of the PEMFC is studied in detail. Further the effects of channel tapering,
channel bending, landing to channels width ratios, channel cross-sections and
insertion of baffles/blockages/pin-fins/inserts are reviewed. The power density of
the flow field designs, the physical parameters like active area, dimensions of
channel/rib, number of channels; and the operating parameters like temperature and
pressure are also tabulated.