Enhancement of cell characteristics via baffle blocks in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

In this study, the effects of baffle blocks located in the flow channel on fuel cell characteristics were investigated. The higher current densities were obtained from the cells with blockage than without blockage. It was observed that the gap between the tip of the baffle block and the channel wall had a significant effect on the current density produced and on the convergence of solutions. The number and the size of blocks that are providing the highest current density from the cell were determined. No significant effects were observed in the polarization curves for cells with more than four blocks and gap ratio of 0.3. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of the relative humidity and velocity of inlet gases on cells with four blocks and gap ratio of 0.3. It was concluded that the current density is strongly dependent on the relative humidity for low inlet velocities and on the other hand, on the inlet velocity for low relative humidities.