Optimization of Cathode Gas Distribution for Commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks Based on Multiple Geometric Parameters of Eccentric Headers

YIN Renjie; BAI Fan; TAO Wenquan

doi:10.7652/xjtuxb202512001

您当前的位置：

首页 >

文章列表页 >

Optimization of Cathode Gas Distribution for Commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks Based on Multiple Geometric Parameters of Eccentric Headers

Special Topic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Performance Improvement Technology | 更新时间：2025-12-08

- Optimization of Cathode Gas Distribution for Commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks Based on Multiple Geometric Parameters of Eccentric Headers
- Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University Vol. 59, Issue 12, Pages: 1-10(2025)
- 作者机构：
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.7652/xjtuxb202512001
  CLC： TK91
- Received：24 March 2025，
  
  Published：10 December 2025
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
YIN Renjie, BAI Fan, TAO Wenquan. Optimization of Cathode Gas Distribution for Commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks Based on Multiple Geometric Parameters of Eccentric Headers[J]. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 2025, 59(12): 1-10.
DOI：

YIN Renjie, BAI Fan, TAO Wenquan. Optimization of Cathode Gas Distribution for Commercial Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks Based on Multiple Geometric Parameters of Eccentric Headers[J]. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 2025, 59(12): 1-10. DOI： 10.7652/xjtuxb202512001.

摘要

针对质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）电堆阴极侧反应气体分布不均匀的问题，提出了一种基于偏心端头多几何参数协同优化的气体分配均匀性提升方法以提高电堆性能。通过计算流体力学仿真构建有限数量样本集，结合本征正交分解（POD）降维技术将样本集重构为模态空间与对应坐标；采用多元多项式拟合法，精确表征模态坐标与工况参数之间的非线性映射关系，构建了基于模态空间重构的偏心端头对应阴极气体分配参数化预测模型。仿真及实验结果表明：所提预测模型精度较高（决定系数为0.911），偏心端头多个几何参数对分配特性存的影响为非线性且参数间存在显著的交互作用；预测能筛选出最优参数组合；阴极气体分配不均匀度从初始模型的7.69%经过优化后降至4.04%，降幅达47.5%，实现了在不扩大歧管截面的前提下对阴极气体分配均匀性的大幅度提升，并有望使电堆的体积功率密度有所提升。所提出的POD降维与多项式拟合方法可高效解析电堆端头多几何参数协同作用机制，能改善阴极气体分布均匀性，为PEMFC电堆端头设计提供了可靠优化策略。

Abstract

To address the problem of uneven gas distribution at the cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cell（PEMFC）stacks for better stack performance

a distribution uniformity enhancement method is proposed based on the co-optimization of multiple geometric parameters of eccentric headers.For the purpose of this study

a limited sample dataset is constructed through computational fluid dynamics simulations

and then reconstructed into modal space with corresponding coordinates by proper orthogonal decomposition（POD）；polynomial curve fitting is employed to accurately characterize the nonlinear mapping relationship between the modal coordinates and parameters；based on the reconstructed modal space

a parameter-based prediction model is built for cathode gas distribution in an eccentric header.The results show that the prediction model is proved to be of high precision（coefficient of determination up to 0.911）.The geometric parameters of the eccentric header have significant interaction

with a nonlinear effect on the cathode gas distribution.By using the predication model

the optimal parameter combination can be identified

as evidenced by the reduction of the gas distribution non-uniformity indicator at the cathode from 7.69% in the initial model to 4.04% after optimization

achieving a 47.5% improvement.This significant improvement in the uniformity of cathode gas distribution is realized without expanding the cross-section of the manifold

and may enhance the volumetric power density of the stack.Therefore

the proposed POD-based dimensionality reduction and polynomial fitting method can efficiently deciphers the mechanism of synergistic effects of multiple geometric parameters in stack headers and improve cathode gas distribution uniformity

providing a reliable optimization strategy for the design of PEMFC stack headers.

关键词

Keywords

references

廖冠臣 , 李艳艳 , 孙志豪 , 等 . 质子交换膜燃料电池堆多因素影响运行特性试验研究 [J ] . 能源化工 , 2024 , 45 ( 6 ): 17 - 24 .

LIAO Guanchen , LI Yanyan , SUN Zhihao , et al . Experimental study on the operating characteristics of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks under the influence of multiple factors [J ] . Energy Chemical Industry , 2024 , 45 ( 6 ): 17 - 24 .

刘欢 , 胡敏 , 邢彦锋 , 等 . 燃料电池密封结构粗糙表面模型应力分布研究 [J ] . 电源技术 , 2024 , 48 ( 11 ): 2289 - 2294 .

LIU Huan , HU Min , XING Yanfeng , et al . Research on the stress distribution of the rough surface model of fuel cell sealing structures [J ] . Chinese Journal of Power Sources , 2024 , 48 ( 11 ): 2289 - 2294 .

刘绍俊 , 田思思 , 刘郭存 , 等 . PEMFC电堆快速成型建模和优化 [J ] . 工程热物理学报 , 2024 , 45 ( 2 ): 368 - 377 .

LIU Shaojun , TIAN Sisi , LIU Guocun , et al . Rapid prototyping modeling and optimization of PEMFC stacks [J ] . Journal of Engineering Thermophysics , 2024 , 45 ( 2 ): 368 - 377 .

PARK J , LI Xianguo . Effect of flow and temperature distribution on the performance of a PEM fuel cell stack [J ] . Journal of Power Sources , 2006 , 162 ( 1 ): 444 - 459 .

覃有为 , 刘坤 , 肖金生 . 车用质子交换膜燃料电池堆阴极进气系统模拟及优化 [J ] . 北京汽车 , 2007 ( 3 ): 1 - 3 .

QIN Youwei , LIU Kun , XIAO Jinsheng . Simulation and optimization of the cathode intake system of vehicle proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks [J ] . Beijing Automotive Engineering , 2007 ( 3 ): 1 - 3 .

HENSEL J P , GEMMEN R S , THORNTON J D , et al . Effects of cell-to-cell fuel mal-distribution on fuel cell performance and a means to reduce mal-distribution using MEMS micro-valves [J ] . Journal of Power Sources , 2007 , 164 ( 1 ): 115 - 125 .

CHEN C H , JUNG S P , YEN S C . Flow distribution in the manifold of PEM fuel cell stack [J ] . Journal of Power Sources , 2007 , 173 ( 1 ): 249 - 263 .

CHEN Huicui , HE Yuxiang , ZHANG Xinfeng , et al . A method to study the intake consistency of the dualstack polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system under dynamic operating conditions [J ] . Applied Energy , 2018 , 231 : 1050 - 1058 .

LEBÆK J , BANG M , KÆR S K . Flow and Pressure distribution in fuel cell manifolds [J ] . Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology , 2010 , 7 ( 6 ): 061001 .

WANG Junye , WANG Hualin . Discrete method for design of flow distribution in manifolds [J ] . Applied Thermal Engineering , 2015 , 89 : 927 - 945 .

QIN Yanzhou , LIU Guokun , CHANG Yafei , et al . Modeling and design of PEM fuel cell stack based on a flow network method [J ] . Applied Thermal Engineering , 2018 , 144 : 411 - 423 .

AMIRFAZLI A , ASGHARI S , SARRAF M . Aninvestigation into the effect of manifold geometry on uniformity of temperature distribution in a PEMFC stack [J ] . Energy , 2018 , 145 : 141 - 151 .

LIM B H , MAJLAN E H , DAUD W R W , et al . Three-dimensional study of stack on the performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell [J ] . Energy , 2019 , 169 : 338 - 343 .

LI Min , DUAN Kangjun , DJILALI N , et al . Flow sharing and turbulence phenomena in proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack headers [J ] . International Journal of Hydrogen Energy , 2019 , 44 ( 57 ): 30306 - 30318 .

HUANG Fuxiang , QIU Diankai , LAN Shuhuai , et al . Performance evaluation of commercial-size proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks considering air flow distribution in the manifold [J ] . Energy Conversion and Management , 2020 , 203 : 112256 .

HUANG Fuxiang , QIU Diankai , XU Zhutian , et al . Analysis and improvement of flow distribution in manifold for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks [J ] . Energy , 2021 , 226 : 120427 .

SU Guoqing , YANG Daijun , XIAO Qiangfeng , et al . Effects of vortexes in feed header on air flow distribution of PEMFC stack: CFD simulation and optimization for better uniformity [J ] . Renewable Energy , 2021 , 173 : 498 - 506 .

CHEN W H , TSAI Z L , CHANG M H , et al . Geometry optimization and pressure analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack [J ] . International Journal of Hydrogen Energy , 2021 , 46 ( 31 ): 16717 - 16733 .

赵岩 , 罗马吉 , 陈奔 . 基于压力速度耦合算法的PEMFC电堆空气分布 [J ] . 江苏大学学报（自然科学版) , 2021 , 42 （ 1 ): 28 - 32 .

ZHAO Yan , LUO Maji , CHEN Ben . Air distribution in PEMFC stacks based on the pressure-velocity coupling algorithm [J ] . Journal of Jiangsu University（Natural Science Edition) , 2021 , 42 （ 1 ): 28 - 32 .

PAN Weitong , CHEN Zhekun , CHEN Xueli , et al . Analytical and numerical investigation of flow distribution in PEMFC stacks [J ] . Chemical Engineering Journal , 2022 , 450 ( Part 1 ): 137598 .

HUANG Fuxiang , QIU Diankai , PENG Linfa , et al . Optimization of entrance geometry and analysis of fluid distribution in manifold for high-power proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks [J ] . International Journal of Hydrogen Energy , 2022 , 47 ( 52 ): 22180 - 22191 .

BAI Fan , YIN Renjie , LIAO Jinyang , et al . Eccentricity design for the coolant distribution optimization of a practical commercial-size proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack using a novel proper orthogonal decomposition based analysis model [J ] . Applied Energy , 2023 , 347 : 121389 .

YIN Renjie , ZENG Wenchao , BAI Fan , et al . Study on the effects of manifold structure on the gas flow distribution uniformity of anode of PEMFC stack with 140-cell [J ] . Renewable Energy , 2024 , 221 : 119693 .

HUANG Taiming , DING Wu , XIAO Yufan , et al . Manifold geometry optimization and flow distribution analysis in commercial-scale proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks [J ] . Renewable Energy , 2024 , 237 ( Part B ): 121736 .

PATANKAR S V . Numerical heat transfer and fluid flow [M ] . Boca Raton : ImprintCRC Press , 1980 .

陶文铨 . 数值传热学 [M ] . 西安交通大学出版社 , 2001 .

COLIN CAMERON A , WINDMEIJER F A G . An R-squared measure of goodness of fit for some common nonlinear regression models [J ] . Journal of Econometrics , 1997 , 77 ( 2 ): 329 - 342 .

Views

下载量

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

提交

Tools

Publicity Resources

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

Reasonable Threshold of H2S Concentration in H2 for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Design of Computational Fluid Dynamics-Based Proportional Integral Controller

Computational Fluid Dynamics Based Parameter Estimation of Hot and Cool Water Mixture Control System

Numerical Simulation for Effect of Powder Carrier Gas on Flow Field and Particle Impact Velocity in Cold Spraying

Related Author

ZHANG Chenyang

WEI Yanju

YANG Yajing

SHI Zihang

沈猛 1

杨代军 2

汪吉辉 1

宫振华 1

Related Institution

School of Astronautics Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University

School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology

College of Power Engineering, Chongqing University

Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University

⁰