The Impact of Flow Rate Variations on the Power Performance and Efficiency of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Focus on Anode Flooding Caused by Crossover Effect and Concentration Loss
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of anode and cathode inlet flow rates (ṁ) on the power performance of bipolar plates in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The primary objective is to derive optimal flow rate conditions by comparatively analyzing concentration loss in the I−V curve and crossover phenomena at the anode, thereby establishing flow rates that prevent reactant depletion and water flooding. A single-cell computational model was constructed by assembling a commercial bipolar plate with a gas diffusion layer (GDL), catalyst layer (CL), and proton exchange membrane (PEM). The model simulates current density generated by electrochemical oxidation-reduction reactions. Hydrogen and oxygen were supplied at a 1:3 ratio under five proportional flow rate conditions: hydrogen (m˙H2 = 0.76–3.77 LPM) and oxygen (m˙O2 = 2.39–11.94 LPM). The Butler–Volmer equation was employed to model voltage drop due to overpotential, while numerical simulations incorporated contact resistivity, surface permeability, and porous media properties. Simulation results demonstrated a 24.40% increase in current density when raising m˙H2 from 2.26 to 3.02 LPM and m˙O2 from 7.17 to 9.56 LPM. Further increases to m˙H2 = 3.77 LPM and m˙O2 = 11.94 LPM yielded a 10.20% improvement, indicating that performance enhancements diminish beyond a critical threshold. Conversely, lower flow rates (m˙H2 = 0.76 and 1.5 LPM, m˙O2 = 2.39 and 4.67 LPM) induced hydrogen-depleted regions, triggering crossover phenomena that exacerbated anode contamination and localized flooding.
Source: Energies
DOI: 10.3390/en18123084
Authors: Byung-Yeon Seo, Hyun Kyu Suh
Institution: Kongju National University
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4411206545