摘要
•Clover-type counter-flow plate improves fuel use, temp uniformity, and boosts power by 44%.•In 154 cm2 cells, counter-flow loses 1% power in 48h vs. 2% in co-current, proving stability.•Symmetrical 90°/45° bends in clover-type plates reduce resistance and improve fuel flow.•2 cell stacking raised power density by 27.9% (20 cm2) and 50.1% (154 cm2), boosting performance.•Counter-flow design complexity is justified by performance gains, supporting high-temperature PEM fuel cells.
The flow channels of bipolar plates are crucial for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells, as they manage the distribution of fuel to the anode and air to the cathode, while facilitating the discharge of reaction products from the cathode. Traditional serpentine co-current flow plates face challenges like uneven fuel concentration, temperature distribution, and inconsistent load across large areas, limiting power output and longevity. This study proposes a clover-type counter-flow plate to address these issues by using symmetric, low-resistance channels. Experimental results show a 42.8 % power density increase when the reaction area expands from 1 cm2 to 20 cm2 and a 44 % increase when further expanding to 154 cm2. The counter-flow design also offers better long-term stability, with only a 1 % power density decrease after 48 h of operation compared to 2 % for the parallel flow design. These findings indicate that the clover-shaped counter-flow bipolar plate effectively enhances performance and durability, especially in large-area and long-duration HT-PEMFC applications.