Advanced parametric model for analysis of the influence of channel cross section dimensions and clamping pressure on current density distribution in PEMFC

•A new model approach for current density distribution calculation is presented.•Calculation results for optimal clamping pressures are presented.•Current density distributions depending on cell voltage are presented.•The new model approach especially addressed real application development engineers. The design of the flow field and the channel cross section of a bipolar plate as well as the intrusion effect of gas diffusion layers due to clamping pressure can significantly influence the performance of a fuel cell. The land and channel areas at a channel cross section can have different boundary conditions due to compression, intrusion of gas diffusion layers and transport phenomena. Todayapplication engineers are faced with the challenge of finding advantageous overall solutions from this plurality of multi-criteria parameters. In this thesis, a model approach is presented which combines a fully parametric analytical-empirical intrusion model with a 1D fuel cell model. This allows the calculation of current density distributions at the channel cross section, taking into account clamping pressure, channel parameters and operating conditions. Depending on the operating points considered, the results show that the maximum current densities occur in different areas of the channel cross section. In addition, with regard to the clamping pressure current density optima can be determined. Using this model approach, in an early development process application engineers will be able to compare hundreds of variants in a reasonable short time and thus determine advantageous fuel cell designs.