Performance analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with the stair arrangement of obstacles in the cathode channel

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the effect of partially blocking the cathode channel with the stair arrangement of obstacles on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Design/methodology/approach - A numerical study is conducted by developing a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. Findings - As the angle of the stair arrangement increases, the performance of the fuel cell is reduced and the pressure drop is decreased. The use of four stair obstacles with an angle of 0.17 degrees leads to higher power density and a lower pressure drop compared to the case with three rectangular obstacles of the same size and maximum height. The use of four stair obstacles with an angle of 0.34 degrees results in higher power density and lower pressure drop compared to the case with two rectangular obstacles of the same size and maximum height. Originality/value - Using the stair arrangement of obstacles as an innovation of the present work, in addition to improving the fuel cell's performance, creates a lower pressure drop than the simple arrangement of obstacles.