Effect of flow field design to the performance of PEM fuel cell

In this study, flow field designs inside the PEM type single fuel cell with 50 cm2 active area have been used in order to provide homogenous reactant distribution, more even current production and better water removal. While designing the flow fields, inspired from the plant veins found in the nature. Additionally in order to improve the water removal capability of the fuel cell, obstacles have been inserted in to the flow channels. The flow field profiles machined over the graphite plates. For investigating the effect of different flow channels to the PEM fuel cell performance, an experimental setup has been established. With the experimental setup, performance tests, constant current measurements and current/temperature distributions has been measured. In order to evaluate the performance of flow fields, all measurements have been compared with standard serpentine design which could be found commonly in the literature. According to the results nature inspired design, nature inspired design with obstacles and Murray design showed 10-15% better performance than that of standard serpentine design. Furthermore these three designs can produce constant voltage even at the high current density values (0,4A/cm2). This situation shows the water removal capability of the flow fields. Relative to the serpentine design, all samples showed even current distribution over the catalyst layers. Thus, an important amount of performance increment and better water management have been provided.