Mechanical Engineering

1. (732118114008)
(732118114014)
(732118114020)
(732118114302)
1. N. Harikrishna
2. E. Makeshwaran
3. S. Prasanna
4. R. Krishnaraj
Project Supervisor
Mr. K.Anandhu, M.E.,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Nandha College of Technology,
Erode-638052.
Nandha College of Technology, Erode – 638052.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
ME8811 – Project Work
Anna University Project Viva Voce – 21.06.2022
Project Title : Performance Studies on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel
Cell with Slightly Tapered Single Flow Channel for
Dissimilar Cell Potentials
Presented by :
Batch : 03

2. Objectives
Investigate the effects of geometrical changes on single flow channel
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell for its performance
improvement.

3. Abstract
• The flow channels are used for uniform reactant distribution throughout the active
area of fuel cell.
• This paper numerically investigates the effects of slight taper in single flow
channel of PEMFC for different cell voltages (0.2 V to 0.9V).
• The numerical model of straight flow channel and three different slightly tapered
(0.25 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.75 mm) single flow channel PEM fuel cell was
developed by using a commercial modeling package and analyzed by using
COMSOL Multiphysics softwarepackage.
• Different taper values and cell potentials were taken to optimize the performance
of the PEMFC.

4. • The numerical results revealed that the PEMFC with taper flow channel at an
operating voltage of 0.35 V show evidence of the better performance compared
with straight flow channel.
• Performance and polarization curves were drawn from the numerical results.
• The current densities, power densities, anode Hydrogen concentration, cathode
Oxygen concentration, anode water concentration and cathode water
concentration of straight and three different slightly tapered flow channels of
PEMFC with fifteen different cell potentials were compared with eachother.

5. Literature Survey
Sl.
No.
Name of the
Author(s)
Journal
Name
Title of the
Journal
Year Findings
01
M.Muthukumar
P.Karthikeyan
V.Lakshminarayanan
A.P.Senthil Kumar
M.Vairavel
R.Girimurugan
Applied
Mechanics
and
Materials
Performance
Studies on PEM
Fuel Cell with 2, 3
and 4 Pass
Serpentine Flow
Field Designs
2014
The geometrical and
flow parameters are
governing the
performance of the
PEMFC.
02
P.Karthikeyan
R.J.Vasanth
M.Muthukumar
International
Journal of
Hydrogen
Energy
Experimental
Investigation on
Uniform and
Zigzag Positioned
Porous Inserts on
the Rib Surface of
Cathode Flow
Channel for
Performance
Enhancement in
PEMFC
2015
The designs of flow
channels are highly
influencing the
performance of
PEMFC

6. Sl.
No.
Name of the
Author(s)
Journal
Name
Title of the
Journal
Year Findings
03
R.Girimurugan
S.Manoj Pravin
S.P.Aravinth
M.Aravinthsamy
P.Gowthaman
International
Journal of
Innovative
Research and
Creative
Technology
Performance
Analysis of High
Temperature PEM
Fuel Cell with
Single Flow
Channel
Configuration
2015
PEMFC with an
operating temperature
of 453 K at an
operating voltage of
0.4 V gives the better
performance.
04
T.Krishnamoorthi
R.Girimurugan
M.Vairavel
A
Numerical
Analysis
Effects of Cathode
Oxygen
Concentration for
Various Cell
Potentials in a Six
Pass Serpentine
Flow Field Proton
Exchange
Membrane Fuel
Cell
2019
The most excellent
cathode Oxygen
concentration is
found at a cell voltage
of 0.85V.

7. Sl.
No.
Name of the
Author(s)
Journal Name
Title of the
Journal
Year Findings
05
S.Mayakannan
V.Rajesh
V.Jeeva Bharathi
M.Muthuraj
R.Girimurugan
International
Journal of
Advance
Research and
Innovative
Ideas in
Education
Performance
Studies on
25×25 cm2
ReactiveArea
Serpentine
Flow Field
Proton
Exchange
Membrane
Fuel Cell with
Different Cell
Potentials
2015
Better current density as
well as power density has
achieved at a cell potential
of 0.4 V.

8. Sl.
No.
Name of the
Author(s)
Journal
Name
Title of the
Journal
Year Findings
06
R.Girimurugan
R.Kishorkumar
E.Manoj
D.Gowsal
P.Jayaprakash
International
Journal of
Innovative
Research and
Creative
Technology.
Performance
Analysis of
PEM Fuel Cell
with Six Pass
Serpentine Flow
Field under
Various
Operating
Voltages
2015
Operating voltage of
0.35 V gives better
performance
parameters
07
Dr.R.Rajappan
G.Gurunathan
P.Paramadhayalan
S.Purushothaman
R.Girimurugan
International
Journal of
Scientific
Research in
Science and
Technology.
Effect of Cell
Potentials on
Gas Diffusion
Layer Velocity
with Serpentine
Flow Channel in
PEM Fuel Cell
2016
Reactant gases
distribution at GDL is
enhanced with
increased cell
potentials

9. Problem Identification
The following problems were identified through the past literature
review.
• Water accumulation on anode and cathode side.
• Membrane thickness
• Flow channel geometry
• Operating parameters.

10. Possible Solutions for Identified Problem(s)
The following possible solutions were identified to overcome the
existing problems in the single flow channel.
• Modifications on Flow Channel Geometry
• Changing of Membrane Material and Geometry

11. Methodology
Study of Recent Literature Related to PEM Fuel Cell Performence
Collection of issues/problems/drawbacks related to Existing PEM Fuel Cell
Performence
Selection of suitable solutions/methods to improve the PEM Fuel Cell
Performence
Feasibility Study
Selection of flow channel Geometries and its Cell Potential, Power Density
and Current Density of PEM Fuel Cell Performence

12. Methodology
Commercial Modelling was Employed to Create the Entire Single Flow
Channel PEM Fuel Cell
In COSMOL Multiphysics Software,Equivalent Modules were Chosento
Undergo the Necessary Analysis on the Successful Modelled PEMFC
Assembly.
Interpretation of COSMOL Multiphysics Software Analysis andResults
Comparison of COSMOL Multiphysics Software Analysis andResults

13. Design
Straight Flow Channel PEMFC
0.5 mm Taper Flow Channel
PEMFC
0.25 mm Taper Flow Channel
PEMFC
0.75 mm Taper Flow Channel
PEMFC

14. Design Parameters
Length (mm) Width (mm) Height (mm)
Stright Flow Channel 20 1 1
0.25 mm Tapper Flow Channel 20 1 0.75
0.50 mm Tapper Flow Channel 20 1 0.5
0.75 mm Tapper Flow Channel 20 1 0.25
Parameters Dimensions
(mm)
Rib width 0.9
Gas Diffusion Layer
Width 0.4
Membrane Thickness 0.01
Catalyst Layer Thickness 0.05

15. Analysis Parameters
GDL porosity
GDLpermeability
GDL electric conductivity
Gas mass fraction at anode
Cathode inlet H2O mass fraction
: 0.4
: 1.18×10-11m2
: 222 S/m
: 0.743
: 0.023
Cathode inlet oxygen mass fraction : 0.228
Anode inlet flow velocity
Cathode inlet flow velocity
Anode viscosity
Cathode viscosity
Hydrogen molar mass
Nitrogen molar mass
Water molar mass
Oxygen molar mass
Cell temperature
Pressure
Cell voltages
Oxygen reference concentration
Hydrogen reference concentration
: 0.2 m/s
: 0.5 m/s
: 1.19×10-5 Pa.s
: 2.46×10-5Pa.s
: 0.002 kg/mol
: 0.028 kg/mol
: 0.018 kg/mol
: 0.032 kg/mol
: 323 K
: 101×103 Pa
: 0.20 V to 0.90V
: 40.88 mol/m3
: 40.88 mol/m3

16. Results and Discussions
Concentration of Hydrogen at Anode
Side of the Fuel Cell for Straight Flow
Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4 V
Concentration of Oxygen at Cathode
Side of the Fuel Cell for Straight
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4 V
Minimum = 35.545 mol/m3
Maximum = 36.2 mol/m3
Minimum = 1.5019 mol/m3
Maximum = 7.6203 mol/m3

17. Minimum = 1.3913 mol/m3
Maximum = 2.0458 mol/m3
Minimum = 3.3466 mol/m3
Maximum = 12.346 mol/m3
Water Concentration at Anode Side of
the Fuel Cell for Straight Flow
Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4 V
Cathode Water Concentration at Cathode
Side of the Fuel Cell for Straight Flow
Channel at Cell Voltage 0.35 V

18. Minimum = 36.195 mol/m3
Maximum = 36.201 mol/m3
Minimum = 7.5475 mol/m3
Maximum = 7.6207 mol/m3
Concentration of Hydrogen at Anode
Side of the Fuel Cell for 0.25 mmTaper
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.85 V
Concentration of Oxygen at Cathode
Side of the Fuel Cell for 0.25 mmTaper
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.85 V

19. Minimum = 1.3913 mol/m3
Maximum = 1.3965 mol/m3
Minimum = 1.3667 mol/m3
Maximum = 1.4034 mol/m3
Water Concentration of at Anode Side
for 0.25 mm Taper Flow Channel at
Cell Voltage 0.85 V
Cathode Side Water Concentration
for 0.25 mm Taper Flow Channel at
Cell Voltage 0.9 V

20. Minimum = 38.533 A/m2
Maximum = 38.931A/m2
Minimum = 35.655 mol/m3
Maximum = 35.202 mol/m3
Membrane Current Density for 0.25
mm Tapper Flow Channel PEMFC at
Cell Voltage 0.9 V
Concentration of Hydrogen at Anode
Side of the Fuel Cell for 0.5 mmTaper
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4V

21. Minimum = 2.4086 mol/m3
Maximum = 7.6226 mol/m3
Minimum = 1.3913 mol/m3
Maximum = 1.9369 mol/m3
Concentration of Oxygen at Cathode
Side of the PEMFC For 0.5 mm Taper
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4 V
Water Concentration at Anode Side
for 0.5 mm Taper Flow Channel for
Cell Voltage 0.85 V

22. Minimum = 1.367 mol/m3
Maximum = 9.7232 mol/m3
Minimum = 9131.8A/m2
Maximum = 10507A/m2
Cathode Side Water Concentration for
0.5 mm Taper Flow Channel at Cell
Voltage 0.4 V
Membrane Current Density for
0.5 mm Tapper Flow Channel
PEMFC at Cell Voltage 0.4 V

23. Minimum = 35.645 mol/m3
Maximum = 36.201 mol/m3
Minimum = 2.3181 mol/m3
Maximum = 7.6207 mol/m3
Concentration of Hydrogen at Anode
Side of the Fuel Cell for 0.75 mm Taper
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4v
Concentration of Oxygen at Cathode
Side of the PEMFC for 0.75 Mm Taper
Flow Channel at Cell Voltage 0.4 V

24. Minimum = 1.3913 mol/m3
Maximum = 1.9457 mol/m3
Minimum = 1.3667 mol/m3
Maximum = 9.8646 mol/m3
Water Concentration at Anode Side
for 0.75 mm Taper Flow Channel for
Cell Voltage 0.4 V
Water Concentration of atAnode
Side for 0.75 mm Taper Flow
Channel for Cell Voltage 0.4 V

25. Maximum and Minimum Concentration of Hydrogen Gas atAnode
Side for Different Flow Channel Design Configurations
Maximum and Minimum Concentration of Oxygen Gas at Cathode Side for
Different Flow Channel Design Configurations

26. Maximum and Minimum Concentration of Water at Anode Sidefor
Different Flow Channel Design Configurations
Maximum and Minimum Concentration of Water at Cathode Side for Different
Flow Channel Design Configurations

27. Polarization Curves for 0 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm And 0.75 mm
Taper Flow Channel PEMFC
Maximum Current
Density
0.25 mm Taper Flow Channel 2.34936 A/cm2
Minimum Current Density Straight Line Flow Channel 1.56624 A/cm2

28. Performance Curves for 0 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm And 0.75mm
Taper Flow Channel PEMFC
Maximum Power
Density
0.25 mm Taper Flow
Channel
0.59310 W/cm2
Minimum Power Density Straight Line Flow Channel 0.39540 W/cm2

29. Conclusions
• The performance studies on single flow channel Proton Exchange Membrane
Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with 0 , 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mm taper channel geometries
under the different cell potentials (0.20 V to 0.90 V) was successfully conceded
by using the COMSOL Multiphysicssoftware.
• It is concluded that, single flow channel PEM fuel cell with 0.25 mm taper
having a greater current and power density of 2.34936 A/cm2 and 0.59310 W/cm2
for the cell potential of 0.20 V and 0.35 V respectively and 0.25 mm taper flow
channel PEM fuel cell exhibits the better performance than other three flow
channel geometries.
• It is also concluded that the changes made in flow channel geometry having
greater influence on the performance of the single flow channel PEM fuelcell.

30. References
1. M.Muthukumar, P.Karthikeyan, V.Lakshminarayanan, A.P.Senthil Kumar,
M.Vairavel, R.Girimurugan, Performance Studies on PEM Fuel Cell with 2, 3
and 4 Pass Serpentine Flow Field Designs, Applied Mechanics and Materials,
2014, 592-594, pp.1728-1732.
2. P.Karthikeyan, R.J.Vasanth, M.Muthukumar, Experimental Investigation on
Uniform and Zigzag Positioned Porous Inserts on the Rib Surface of Cathode
Flow Channel for Performance Enhancement in PEMFC, International Journal of
Hydrogen Energy, 2015, 40, pp. 4641 – 4648.
3. R.Girimurugan, S.Bharathkumar, V.Dinesh, G.Dinesh, P.Gowtham, Effect of
Reactant Gases Velocity Distribution in Single Flow Channel High Temperature
PEM Fuel Cell, International Journal of Innovative Research and Creative
Technology, 2015, 01 (01), pp.11-14.
4. T.Krishnamoorthi, R.Girimurugan, M.Vairavel, Effects of Cathode Oxygen
Concentration for Various Cell Potentials in a Six Pass Serpentine Flow Field
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell – A Numerical Analysis, 2019, 09 (08),
pp.224-232.

31. 5. S.Mayakannan, V
.Rajesh, V.Jeeva Bharathi, M.Muthuraj, R.Girimurugan,
Performance Studies on 25×25 cm2 Reactive Area Serpentine Flow Field
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with Different Cell Potentials,
International Journal of Advance Research and Innovative Ideas in Education,
2015, 01 (05), pp.658-662.
6. R.Girimurugan, R.Kishorkumar, E.Manoj, D.Gowsal, P.Jayaprakash,
Performance Analysis of PEM Fuel Cell with Six Pass Serpentine Flow Field
under Various Operating Voltages, International Journal of Innovative Research
and Creative Technology, 2015, 01 (01), pp.100-104.
7. Dr.R.Rajappan, G.Gurunathan, P.Paramadhayalan, S.Purushothaman,
R.Girimurugan, Effect of Cell Potentials on Gas Diffusion Layer Velocity with
Serpentine Flow Channel in PEM Fuel Cell, 2016, 02 (02), pp.61-65.

32. Thank You