A simulation study of PEMFC flow channels using a new hybrid method

Omozuwati L. Enearu, Yong Kang Chen, Christos Kalyvas, Ogbonda Douglas Chukwu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Among the number of fuel cells in existence, the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has been favoured because of its numerous applications. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays an important role in the development by providing in-depth analysis of PEMFCs gained from studying fluid flow and heat and mass transfer phenomena. The output obtained is useful for reducing the need for expensive prototypes and cutting down test time by a substantial amount. This study is aimed at investigating the advances made in the use of CFD as a technique for the optimization of PEMFCs and studying the effect of some parameters on the performance of the fuel cell (FC) model, by using a new hybrid approach of CFD and Simultaneous Hybrid Exploration that is Robust, Progressive and Adaptive (SHERPA) to study, evaluate and improve the performance. Observations from the CFD results showed that a serpentine-type channel with curved bends would be required for efficient water removal. While further optimization of the model in HEEDS recommended the channel be modified to a 1 × 1 channel (width × depth) for best performance of the fuel cell.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInnovative Techniques and Applications of Modelling, Identification and Control - Selected and Expanded Reports from ICMIC 2017
PublisherSpringer Nature Link
Pages345-356
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9789811072116
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 21 Apr 2018
Event9th International Conference on Modelling, Identification and Control, ICMIC 2017 - Kunming, China
Duration: 10 Jul 201712 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Electrical Engineering
Volume467
ISSN (Print)1876-1100
ISSN (Electronic)1876-1119

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Modelling, Identification and Control, ICMIC 2017
Country/TerritoryChina
CityKunming
Period10/07/1712/07/17

Keywords

  • Bipolar plate (BPP)
  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • HEEDS (Hierarchical evolutionary engineering design)
  • Optimization
  • Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
  • SHERPA (Simultaneous hybrid exploration that is robust progressive and adaptive)
  • STAR CCM+ simulations

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