ItemArticle

Computational and Experimental Evaluation of Serpentine Bipolar Plate Designs for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Title
Computational and Experimental Evaluation of Serpentine Bipolar Plate Designs for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Creator
Jose, Aneesh; Pai, P. Srinivasa; Thejaraju, Rajashekaraiah; Ravikumar, Ramegowda; Santhosh, V.
Description
The performance of a fuel cell is greatly affected by various parameters, with bipolar plates being a key component. The design of flow channels within these plates, whether serpentine, parallel, or interdigitated, directly impacts reactant distribution, water management, and pressure regulation. These aspects are essential for optimizing the fuel cells efficiency and functionality. In this study, six different designs of bipolar plate flow fields with serpentine patterns are explored, and these designs are simulated using computational fluid dynamics. The designs include various configurations, including serpentine flow with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 channels and a quadrant serpentine flow. Through analysis of pressure and velocity distributions, the serpentine flow, the 2-channel design emerges as the most efficient, providing balanced pressure distribution and low velocity. Subsequently, these bipolar plates are fabricated using milling centers and tested in a computerized fuel cell workstation, with results compared to those of a conventional single serpentine bipolar plate. Experimental findings reveal that the serpentine flow, 2-channel design exhibits a 5% improvement in performance compared to the traditional single-channel fuel cell design. 2026 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Source
Heat Transfer Engineering;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Coverage
Jose A., School of Engineering & Technology, Christ University, Karnataka, Bangalore, India, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, Belagavi, India; Pai P.S., Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India; Thejaraju R., Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, Belagavi, India; Ravikumar R., Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, Belagavi, India; Santhosh V., Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, Belagavi, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 1457632; CODEN: HTEND
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Jose, Aneesh; Pai, P. Srinivasa; Thejaraju, Rajashekaraiah; Ravikumar, Ramegowda; Santhosh, V., “Computational and Experimental Evaluation of Serpentine Bipolar Plate Designs for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 20, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22643.

Output Formats