Numerical simulation of using DBD plasma air blower for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

In this study, a novel air blower by applying the DBD plasma actuator for a PEM fuel cell is proposed for reducing power consumption and air flow saving. For this purpose, the DBD plasma actuators are installed on the bottom surface of the cathode channel of a PEMFC. The impact of the application of DBD plasma and the number of DBDs on the air mass flow rate and performance of PEMFC were numerically investigated. Results show that in comparison to the conventional air blower model, using the DBD plasma air blower at the cathode channel of a PEMFC results in a reduction of velocity magnitude and uniform velocity distribution of airflow within the cathode channel. Also, results indicate that the DBD plasma air blower model with less air flow consumption provides almost the same current density and performance as the conventional model. Results illustrate that the DBD plasma air blower with 3 DBDs can be a suitable candidate to obtain the best design for the DBD plasma air blower. The robust advantages of using the DBD plasma air blower become more underscored when the findings present the 90.31% reduction in the average power consumption. • DBD actuator as air blower for a PEM fuel cell is numerically investigated. • Using DBD actuator air blower PEMFC significantly decreased air consumption. • Using DBD actuator air blower decreased the 90.31% average power consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]