Flow channel geometry optimization and novel criterion for improved water and thermal management in anion-exchange membrane fuel cell

Given the distinct water management requirements in anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) and proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), the necessity for tailored flow field redesign and analysis in AEMFCs becomes paramount. In this study, a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal AEMFC model is constructed to explore the impact of the channel shape of a parallel flow field on the cell performance. The results demonstrate that the channel shape notably influences cell performance at low voltages, and the cell performance follows: inverted trapezoidal > square > triangular > rectangular > trapezoidal > semicircular. A cell with inverted trapezoidal channels achieves a 12.9% increase in peak power density and an 83.4% reduction in current density non-uniformity compared to that with semicircular channels. Analysis of the evaluation criteria indicates that excellent heat transfer performance, superior mass transfer performance, and sufficient water content in the membrane are critical for improving AEMFC performance.