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Numerical simulations of two-phase flow in an anode gas channel of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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  • Ferreira, Rui B.
  • Falcão, D.S.
  • Oliveira, V.B.
  • Pinto, A.M.F.R.

Abstract

In this work, the two-phase flow in an anode gas channel of a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell is numerically investigated using the VOF (volume of fluid) method. Water movement in the gas channel is analyzed and the effects of hydrogen inlet velocity, operating temperature and channel walls wettability are investigated. Results reveal that for hydrophilic channel walls water moves as films in the upper surface of the channel (surface opposite to the GDL (gas diffusion layer)) whereas it moves as a droplet when the channel walls are hydrophobic. Moreover, increasing hydrogen inlet velocity, operating temperature and channel walls wettability results into a faster water removal. However, for the case when hydrogen velocity is increased, a considerable increment on pressure drop is also observed. Results from the present work provide important quantitative information that complements experimental data from literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferreira, Rui B. & Falcão, D.S. & Oliveira, V.B. & Pinto, A.M.F.R., 2015. "Numerical simulations of two-phase flow in an anode gas channel of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 619-628.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:82:y:2015:i:c:p:619-628
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.01.071
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carton, J.G. & Lawlor, V. & Olabi, A.G. & Hochenauer, C. & Zauner, G., 2012. "Water droplet accumulation and motion in PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell mini-channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 63-73.
    2. Qin, Yanzhou & Li, Xianguo & Jiao, Kui & Du, Qing & Yin, Yan, 2014. "Effective removal and transport of water in a PEM fuel cell flow channel having a hydrophilic plate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 116-126.
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    1. Abdin, Z. & Webb, C.J. & Gray, E.MacA., 2016. "PEM fuel cell model and simulation in Matlab–Simulink based on physical parameters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 1131-1144.
    2. Kang, Sanggyu, 2015. "Quasi-three dimensional dynamic modeling of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with consideration of two-phase water transport through a gas diffusion layer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1388-1400.
    3. Soopee, Asif & Sasmito, Agus P. & Shamim, Tariq, 2019. "Water droplet dynamics in a dead-end anode proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 300-311.
    4. Shao, Heng & Qiu, Diankai & Peng, Linfa & Yi, Peiyun & Lai, Xinmin, 2019. "Modeling and analysis of water droplet dynamics in the dead-ended anode gas channel for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 842-851.
    5. Ashrafi, Moosa & Kanani, Homayoon & Shams, Mehrzad, 2018. "Numerical and experimental study of two-phase flow uniformity in channels of parallel PEM fuel cells with modified Z-type flow-fields," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 317-328.
    6. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    7. Kim, Ah-Reum & Shin, Seungho & Um, Sukkee, 2016. "Multidisciplinary approaches to metallic bipolar plate design with bypass flow fields through deformable gas diffusion media of polymer electrolyte fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 378-389.
    8. Chen, Ben & Ke, Wandi & Luo, Maji & Wang, Jun & Tu, Zhengkai & Pan, Mu & Zhang, Haining & Liu, Xiaowei & Liu, Wei, 2015. "Operation characteristics and carbon corrosion of PEMFC (Proton exchange membrane fuel cell) with dead-ended anode for high hydrogen utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 799-806.
    9. Chen, Ben & Wang, Jun & Yang, Tianqi & Cai, Yonghua & Zhang, Caizhi & Chan, Siew Hwa & Yu, Yi & Tu, Zhengkai, 2016. "Carbon corrosion and performance degradation mechanism in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with dead-ended anode and cathode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 54-62.
    10. Ramiar, A. & Mahmoudi, A.H. & Esmaili, Q. & Abdollahzadeh, M., 2016. "Influence of cathode flow pulsation on performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with interdigitated gas distributors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 206-217.
    11. Xing, Lei & Du, Shangfeng & Chen, Rui & Mamlouk, Mohamed & Scott, Keith, 2016. "Anode partial flooding modelling of proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Model development and validation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 80-95.
    12. Guo, Hang & Liu, Xuan & Zhao, Jian Fu & Ye, Fang & Ma, Chong Fang, 2016. "Effect of low gravity on water removal inside proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with different flow channel configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 926-934.

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