Abstract

The effect s of arrangement and numbe r of Membrane, Catalyst layer (CL) and Gas Diffusion layer (GDL) is investigated in present study. A full three-dimensio nal model was developed for tubular shaped PEMFC and the distribution of reactant concentr ation along anode and cathode channels, current density, power consumpt ion and production were studied through computational Fluid dynamics (CFD). In order to do so, five arrangements of the tubular-shaped PEMFC namely: circular peripheral (CP), circular with two channels (C2C), circular with four channels (C4C), circular with six channels (C6C) and circular with eight channels (C8C) are presented. Compa rison was made for new arrangements of layers, for the same active area and input mass flow in the anode and cathode. The results of polarization curve and power density shows that via increasing the number of layers, and thereby reducing the length of the fuel cell, more reactants are consumed along the tubular-shaped PEMFC. Among the five new arrangem ents, the CP case due to having high flow velocity for the same flow rate, has lower consumption along the channel and demonstrates undesirable results. Also in the dual-channel case (C2C) the core of the reacting flow is far from the reaction location (i.e. CL) therefor showed the lowest consumption and thus lowest power density. Whereas the eight-channel (C8C) configuration because of the appropriate distance between Membrane, CL and GDL layers and the core of the flow, increases the power output and reduces the cost, simultaneou sly due to shortest length in comp arison to other cases. The results of present study can be employed for the manufacturing of new tubular-shaped PEMFC.