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Enabling high-concentrated fuel operation of fuel cells with microfluidic principles: A feasibility study

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  • Zhang, Hao
  • Xuan, Jin
  • Xu, Hong
  • Leung, Michael K.H.
  • Leung, Dennis Y.C.
  • Zhang, Li
  • Wang, Huizhi
  • Wang, Lei

Abstract

Liquid fuel cells operated at room-temperature are promising candidates for the next-generation of power sources for microelectronic devices. Enabling high-concentrated or even neat fuel operation of fuel cells, which is currently limited by adverse fuel crossover through membrane, could significantly improve the cell current density, reversible potential and energy density. Herein, microfluidic tools are proposed to solve the crossover problem. A three-dimensional numerical model for air-breathing microfluidic fuel cell (MFC) fed with concentrated formic acid is developed. The model couples CFD with electrochemical kinetics to account for the complex interactions inside the cell. Maxwell–Stefan equations are used to describe the nonlinear behaviors in the electrolyte. Based on the model analysis, the feasibility of concentrated fuel operation has been proved. Nonlinear diffusion characteristics, mass transport and performance of MFC cell are analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Hao & Xuan, Jin & Xu, Hong & Leung, Michael K.H. & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Zhang, Li & Wang, Huizhi & Wang, Lei, 2013. "Enabling high-concentrated fuel operation of fuel cells with microfluidic principles: A feasibility study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1131-1137.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:112:y:2013:i:c:p:1131-1137
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.01.077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C., 2016. "A circular stacking strategy for microfluidic fuel cells with volatile methanol fuel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 659-669.
    3. Ouyang, Tiancheng & Lu, Jie & Zhao, Zhongkai & Chen, Jingxian & Xu, Peihang, 2021. "New insight on the mechanism of vibration effects in vapor-feed microfluidic fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    4. Ouyang, Tiancheng & Lu, Jie & Xu, Peihang & Hu, Xiaoyi & Chen, Jingxian, 2022. "High-efficiency fuel utilization innovation in microfluidic fuel cells: From liquid-feed to vapor-feed," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    5. Das, Suparna & Kumar, Piyush & Dutta, Kingshuk & Kundu, Patit Paban, 2014. "Partial sulfonation of PVdF-co-HFP: A preliminary study and characterization for application in direct methanol fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 169-177.
    6. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi, 2017. "A review on unitized regenerative fuel cell technologies, part B: Unitized regenerative alkaline fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell, and microfluidic fuel cell," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 775-795.
    7. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Zhang, Hao & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi, 2017. "Numerical and experimental comparative study of microfluidic fuel cells with different flow configurations: Co-flow vs. counter-flow cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 535-548.
    8. Xu, Hong & Zhang, Hao & Wang, Huizhi & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Zhang, Li & Cao, Jun & Jiao, Kui & Xuan, Jin, 2015. "Counter-flow formic acid microfluidic fuel cell with high fuel utilization exceeding 90%," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 930-936.
    9. Chen, Binbin & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi, 2017. "A mixed-pH dual-electrolyte microfluidic aluminum–air cell with high performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1303-1308.
    10. Chen, Jingxian & Xu, Peihang & Lu, Jie & Ouyang, Tiancheng & Mo, Chunlan, 2021. "A prospective study of anti-vibration mechanism of microfluidic fuel cell via novel two-phase flow model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    11. Ouyang, Tiancheng & Chen, Jingxian & Liu, Wenjun & Xu, Peihang & Lu, Jie & Zhao, Zhongkai, 2022. "A comprehensive evaluation for microfluidic fuel cells from anti-vibration viewpoint using phase field theory," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 676-693.
    12. Lan, Qiao & Ye, Dingding & Zhu, Xun & Chen, Rong & Liao, Qiang, 2022. "Enhanced gas removal and cell performance of a microfluidic fuel cell by a paper separator embedded in the microchannel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).

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