Biomimetic Design Exploration of Flow Field Structure in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates

SHI Zihang; YANG Yajing; WEI Yanju; ZHANG Chenyang

doi:10.7652/xjtuxb202504007

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Biomimetic Design Exploration of Flow Field Structure in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates

更新时间：2026-01-06

- Biomimetic Design Exploration of Flow Field Structure in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates
- Journal of Xi’an Jiaotong University Vol. 59, Issue 4, Pages: 70-80(2025)
- 作者机构：
  
  1.西安交通大学能源与动力工程学院， 710049，西安
  2.西安交通大学航天航空学院， 710049，西安
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.7652/xjtuxb202504007
  CLC： TM911
- Received：20 July 2024，
  
  Online First：16 December 2024，
  
  Published：10 April 2025
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
SHI Zihang, YANG Yajing, WEI Yanju, et al. Biomimetic Design Exploration of Flow Field Structure in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates[J]. Journal of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 2025, 59(4): 70-80.
DOI：

SHI Zihang, YANG Yajing, WEI Yanju, et al. Biomimetic Design Exploration of Flow Field Structure in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates[J]. Journal of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 2025, 59(4): 70-80. DOI： 10.7652/xjtuxb202504007.

摘要

针对质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）内部燃料分布不均匀以及水管理能力不足导致的性能受限问题，基于海棠叶的叶脉结构，设计了一种新型仿生流场，采用数值方法深入研究了其性能。首先，通过观察海棠叶脉的自然流动形态，设计仿生流场；然后，通过数值模拟对比分析仿生流场、传统蛇形流场和平行流场的流场性能；最后，探究极限电流密度、峰值功率密度及内部氧气和电流密度的分布特性。研究结果表明：与传统的蛇形流场和平行流场相比，仿生流场的压降更低，催化层氧气浓度分布更均匀，供气质量更高；相较于平行流场和蛇形流场，仿生流场的电池极限电流密度分别提升了35.42%、6.81%，峰值功率密度分别增加了29.71%、5.22%，且除水能力较平行流场有所提升。该研究为PEMFC流场设计的优化提供了新思路，对提升燃料电池的整体性能和效率具有重要的实际应用价值。

Abstract

In response to performance limitations caused by uneven fuel distribution and inadequate water management capabilities in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)

a novel bionic flow field is designed based on the vein structure of begonia leaves

and its performance is systematically investigated through numerical simulation. Firstly

the bionic flow field is developed by mimicking the natural flow patterns of begonia leaf veins. Then

numerical simulation techniques are employed to compare and analyze the flow field performance of the biomimetic flow field

traditional serpentine flow field

and parallel flow field. Finally

the distribution characteristics of limiting current density

peak power density

internal oxygen concentration

and current density are explored. The research results demonstrate that compared to traditional serpentine and parallel flow fields

the biomimetic flow field exhibits lower pressure drop

more uniform oxygen concentration distribution in the catalyst layer

and higher gas supply quality. Furthermore

the biomimetic flow field shows a 35.42% and 6.81% increase in limiting current density

a 29.71% and 5.22% increase in peak power density compared to the parallel and serpentine flow fields

respectively

with improved water retention capabilities compared to the parallel flow field. This research provides a new perspective for optimizing the design of flow fields in PEMFCs

offering significant practical value for enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of fuel cells.

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references

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