Performance evaluation of multiple-parallel-channel serpentine-like flow fields for vanadium redox flow battery: Simulation and experiment

Most prior research has focused on performance analysis of flow field for laboratory-scale vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). To acquire suitable flow field for large active area (196 cm²) VRFB, this study investigates the triple-parallel scale-up of three field designs: conventional serpentine flow field (SFF), our previously designed rotary serpentine flow field (RSFF) and high-performance (HP01) flow field. Both simulation and experimental tests are conducted to evaluate and compare the performance of three different flow fields designs. Results demonstrate that the scaled-up HP01 flow field maintains superior comprehensive performance compared to SFF and RSFF. Multiphysics analysis reveals that the HP01 flow field enhances reactant delivery to the electrode through inter-channel pressure differentials. Experimental fabrication and testing of flow field plates with these three structures confirm that the triple-parallel HP01 achieves the highest charge-discharge performance, voltage efficiency, and energy efficiency. At 150 mA∙cm⁻², the HP01 flow field exhibits energy efficiencies about 3% and 0.72% higher than the scaled-up SFF and RSFF, respectively. Moreover, the performance advantage of the HP01 flow field becomes increasingly pronounced under high-current-density conditions, providing valuable insights for large-area flow field optimization in commercial VRFBs.