Simulation of an interdigitated flow channel assembled in a proton exchange membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

•Interdigitated flow field for PEMFC was designed by CFD simulations and constructed.•Interdigitated channels with an arrangement based on leaf veins with a 50 cm2 area.•Flow field promotes mass transport of O2 + H2O steam through gas diffusion layer.•Flow field creates homogeneous velocity, mass transfer, and current density profiles.•Close agreement between experimental and theoretical polarization curves was attained. This short communication deals with designing an interdigitated flow channel fitted in a PEMFC. The flow plate created here through CFD simulations consists of interdigitated channels based on leaf veins with an active area of 50 cm2. CFD simulations of fluid flow, mass transport, and current distribution were conducted using the finite element method (FEM). Experimental and CFD simulations were carried out to characterize the operating conditions applied to the cathode of a PEMFC using different O2–H2O mixtures. Flow velocities ranged from 3 to 5 m/s, while the humidity and temperature were between 80 and 100% and 323–343 K, respectively. A typical pressure drop around 400 Pa was observed over the flow velocities studied in the flow channel. The linear flow velocities found in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) domain were between 2 × 10−7 to 0.98 m/s. The experimental polarization curve showed close agreement with CFD simulations for the current density interval of 0–0.5 A/cm2, where no limitations to mass transport affect the fuel cell responses. The current model and flow channels configuration will be on continuous development considering water transport through the membrane and future application on Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFC).