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A novel flow field with controllable pressure gradient to enhance mass transport and water removal of PEM fuel cells

A novel flow field with controllable pressure gradient across adjacent channels were designed and a two dimensional, across-the-channel, two- phase model was developed to study the mass transport and water removal of the novel configuration. The effect of channel-rib width ratio, GDL thickness and pressure gradient on the profiles of oxygen concentration and water saturation within the GDL are investigated. Special attention was paid to the mechanisms of the promoted mass transport and water removal rates under a pressure gradient. The model was validated by experiments with various channel-rib ratios and GDL thicknesses at different operating pressure. The results reveal that, oxygen concentration is increased, and the water saturation is reduced under the rib when a pressure gradient is generated across the adjacent channels. The optimal pressure gradient is between 0.1 to 0.3 atm for the studied channel geometry and configuration. The mechanisms of the improved cell performance are elucidated.

PEM fuel cells ; Novel flow fields ; Bipolar plates ; Pressure gradient ; Water removal

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