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Arab J Sci Eng (2018) 43:1225–1234
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-2813-7
RESEARCH ARTICLE - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Comparison of Single,
Double and Triple Serpentine Flow Channel Configuration
on Performance of a PEM Fuel Cell
Venkateswarlu Velisala1 · G. Naga Srinivasulu1
Received: 3 June 2017 / Accepted: 17 August 2017 / Published online: 24 August 2017
© King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 2017
Abstract In this study, the effect of single (1-S), double
(2-S) and triple (3-S) serpentine flow field configuration on
the performance of PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) was investi-
gated both numerically and experimentally. First, a complete
3-D PEMFC model was developed, and simulations were
carried out to examine the effect of 1-S, 2-S and 3-S flow
field configuration on the performance of PEMFC using
commercial CFD code ANSYS FLUENT. Along with the
cell performance, important parameters such as pressure dis-
tribution, mass fraction of hydrogen, oxygen, liquid water
activity, current flux density distribution and the membrane
water content have been presented. Next, an experimental
study is carried out with a PEMFC by changing 1-S, 2-S
and 3-S flow field configurations to verify the numerical pre-
dictions. Finally numerically and experimentally obtained
performance curves have been compared, and 1-S flow chan-
nel fuel cell is found to exhibit the best electrochemical
performance compared with the 2-S and 3-S flow channel
fuel cells.
Keywords PEM fuel cell · CFD · Serpentine flow field ·
Current density · Membrane water content
1 Introduction
Fuel cell (FC) is an electrochemical device which transmutes
the chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Depend-
ing on the type of electrolyte materials, FCs classified as
polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), alkaline
B Venkateswarlu Velisala
2venkee@gmail.com
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute
of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
fuel cell (AFC), phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), molten car-
bonate fuel cell (MCFC), and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).
The PEMFC utilizing a thin polymer film as the electrolyte
can be considered as a reliable future power generating sys-
tem, particularly for powering portable electronic devices,
vehicular and residential power applications. This sort of
fuel cell has numerous imperative points of interest, such
as high efficiency, low operating temperature, clean, noise-
less operation and quick start-up of the cell [1,2]. However,
the performance and cost of the PEMFCs ought to be further
optimized before these FCs gets to be focused in practical
applications.
Bipolar plates (BPs) are a standout among the most
important and viable components in the enhancement of per-
formance of FCs. BPs supplies the reactants (H2 and O2 ),
evacuates generated water, gathers generated current and
gives support to the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in
FC. The pattern and configuration of channels significantly
influence the adequacy of mass transport and additionally
electrochemical reactions taking place in the FC. The ideal
design of the channel dimension, pattern, orientation, and
shape will prompt an enhanced and upgraded bipolar plate.
Modeling and simulation of FCs have achieved signifi-
cance in recent years, as it annotates the transport phenomena
and fundamentals of the processes which are taking place
inside the system that may not be possible to conclude by
experiments [3]. The performance of 3D PEMFC models has
been articulated in detail, earlier in the literature. Berning et
al. [4] and Nguyen et al. [5] presented 3D models to analyze
the transport phenomena in the PEMFC with serpentine flow
channels based on CFD approach. Li et al. [6] proposed a
methodology to design flow fields for better water removal
and also carried out experimental studies with different sizes
of flow fields. Jeon et al. [7] and Wang et al. [8]developed
a 3D CFD PEMFC model with different serpentine flow
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