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Model ID: 328

Fuel Cell Stack

A key optimization parameter in a fuel cell is the design of the reactant and product channels and inlets and outlets. Good designs require that the electrodes are well fed with a reactant and that products are removed as quickly as possible. A further desire for a good fuel-cell design is that fuel cells are as compact as possible. This saves on material costs and allows them to fit into smaller spaces (such as in a car).

One important parameter for deciding good design is the fluid-flow characteristics of the feed stream to a fuel cell stack. This example deals with the gas channels on the air side of three bipolar plates. The channels in these plates are interconnected through cylindrical headers for the air inlet and outlet.

FUEL CELLS: A key optimization parameter in a fuel cell is the design of the reactant and product channels and inlets and outlets. The figure shows the pressure distribution and velocity field in the channels of a fuel cell stack.

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