Comparative Analysis of Three Configurations Using Combinations Based on a Serpentine Geometry for the Species Distribution of a PEMFC

The present study shows the results obtained for a 3D CFD analysis for 3 configurations of the gas flow field of a PEM fuel cell: serpentine, interdigitated-serpentine and double serpentine. The objective of this study is to determine the current density distribution, the pressure drop, and the power generated by a PEM fuel cell operating under the proposed gas flow field. The model adopted for the analysis takes into account the effects of the electrochemical reactions that occur in the fuel cell, in this case the transport of electrons and protons, the species consumption, the water production in the catalyst and the water transport through the membrane. The results obtained for each configuration are compared to determine which configuration has the maximum performance.