TY - JOUR

T1 - Flow and Pressure Distribution in Fuel Cell Manifolds

A1 - Lebæk,Jesper

A1 - Bang,Mads

A1 - Kær,Søren Knudsen

AU - Lebæk,Jesper

AU - Bang,Mads

AU - Kær,Søren Knudsen

PB - A S M E International

PY - 2010/8

Y1 - 2010/8

N2 - The manifold is an essential part of the fuel cell stack. Evidently, evenly distributed <br/>reactants are a prerequisite for an efficient fuel cell stack. In this study, the cathode manifold ability to distribute air to the cells of a 70 cell stack is investigated experimentally. By means of 20 differential pressure gauges, the flow distribution is mapped for several geometrical and operating conditions. Special attention is given to the inlet conditions of the manifold. Here, a diffuser design was constructed in order to replace the conventional circular inlet design. The diffuser design showed significant improvements to the flow distribution in comparison to the circular design. Moreover, the best flow distribution was found using a U-shaped configuration.

AB - The manifold is an essential part of the fuel cell stack. Evidently, evenly distributed <br/>reactants are a prerequisite for an efficient fuel cell stack. In this study, the cathode manifold ability to distribute air to the cells of a 70 cell stack is investigated experimentally. By means of 20 differential pressure gauges, the flow distribution is mapped for several geometrical and operating conditions. Special attention is given to the inlet conditions of the manifold. Here, a diffuser design was constructed in order to replace the conventional circular inlet design. The diffuser design showed significant improvements to the flow distribution in comparison to the circular design. Moreover, the best flow distribution was found using a U-shaped configuration.

U2 - 10.1115/1.4001319

DO - 10.1115/1.4001319

JO - Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology

JF - Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology

SN - 1550-624X

IS - 6

VL - 7

SP - 061001-1 - 061001-8

ER -