Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: In this paper, the experimental analysis of various parameters on 25 cm2 interdigitated flow channel have been used for performance enhancement of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cellby optimization technique.

Methods/ Statistical Analysis: The design parameter like Landing to Channel width ratio-(L:C) and two operating parameters like back pressure and cell temperature have been considered. Here, Taguchi technique and analysis of variance methodology (ANOVA) have been used to obtain the optimum combination for the above three parameters. Three factors and three levels, such as design parameter as ( L:C- 1:1, 2:2 and 1:2) and operating parameters as cell temperature like 40, 50 and 60o C and back pressure 0, 0.5 and 1 bar have been taken for optimization studies.

Findings: This study has revealed that the selected parameters 1 bar for back pressure, 60°C of cell temperature and landing to channel width ratio of 1:2 yield the maximum power density 0.265 W/cm2 for interdigitated flow field. Also, multiple regression analysis studies have been carried out, and the regression co-efficient obtainable is 94.7% for inter-digitized flow fields with allowable maximum deviation limit is 5.3%. The maximum deviation of 1.156% has been occurred between the experimental data and regression model analysis. Also, the F and P tests carried out in this study indicated that the back pressure is having major impact on performance of the PEM fuel cell. The back pressure is contributing 81.8% for overall cell performance followed by L:C and cell temperatures has 13.50% and 0.80% respectively.

Keywords: Design Parameter, Optimization, PEM Fuel Cell, Operating Parameter, Taguchi Technique, ANOVA