Abstract:

In this study, a cylindrical fuel cell with the serpentine channel is numerically investigated. For this purpose, a fuel cell geometry with cylindrical geometry and 1S serpentine gas flow channel structure is created. To better investigate the effect of the gas flow channel on the performance, the distance between serpentine channel turns are changed as 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm and 4 different model geometries are created. For Model 3 among these model geometries, the anode and cathode inlet flow rates are changed and 3 different operating states are considered. For all model geometries and all operating states, the cell voltage is changed in the 0.45V-0.90V range and numerical analysis are repeated for 10 different cell voltages. Accordingly, 60 different simulations are completed. It is found that the current density value increased with the decreased cell voltage. It is determined that the pressure difference and current density decreased with increased serpentine channel turning distances. It is found that for high cell voltages, the power density value is relatively unchanged for the increased distances between serpentine channel turns and this value increased for low cell voltages. As the gas inlet flow rate of the anode and cathode channels increased, it is found that the current density and the pressure difference increased. However, for cell voltages above 0.7V, it is determined that the power density value is relatively unchanged with increased anode and cathode gas inlet flaws and increased with has inlet flow rate for values below this cell voltage.

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