Comparison between different models of polymer membrane fuel cell using metal foam as a flow distributor

The use of metal foam as a distributor flow field in a polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cells reduces the weight and volume of the fuel cell, causes more uniform distribution of the reactant gases, and in some cases eliminates the machining process required to create the flow channels. In this paper five models of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are simulated including: the model that the bipolar plate consists of two parallel channels (model 1); The model that is similar to model 1 except that in this case channels are filled with metal foam (model 2); The model that the rib between the channels in anode and cathode side are eliminated and in the anode, metal foam is placed (model 3); the model that is similar to model 3 except that the metal foam is placed on the cathode side (model 4); in model 5, both the anode side and the cathode side are filled with metal foam. The results show that the use of metal foam in the anode or the cathode side in addition to decreasing maximum temperature in the models also helps a more uniform temperature distribution. The uniformity index shows that the distribution of current density is much better and more uniform, when the ribs in models 3, 4 and 5 are eliminated. Comparison conducted between different models shows that the pressure drop caused by the presence of the metal foam, due to the high coefficient of permeability and porosity of the foam, is small.