ANALYSIS AND OPTIMISATION OF POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL (PEMFC)

Increased focus on net-zero carbon emission in various industries has called for diversification of sustainable energy sources to limit the dependency on fossil fuels. Hydrogen fuel cells have thus become a promising technology offering zero emission and high efficiency. It has a myriad of applications in the power generation, stationary and automotive industries. For short and medium haul flights, fuel cells offer a promising solution to combat climate change. It is light and efficient, utilising hydrogen as a readily available energy source. In this paper, extensive multi-physics CFD modelling is used in the development of fuel cell technology to build more efficient PEMFC with lower cost and weight for aviation application. The purpose of this paper is first to conduct a multi- physics simulation and analyse in detail the distribution of reactant species along the channels, water content, and pressure distribution. A multiphase simulation over a 22-channel serpentine PEMFC is carried out. The simulation results are validated by comparing the resultant polarization curve to the available experimental data. The analysis is then extended to the optimisation of fuel cells by parameterising the PEMFC fuel and air channels, and then conducting a Design of Experiment (DOE) which can be used to produce an optimal combination of parameters influencing the performance of the unit fuel cell.