Two-phase mass transport model for microfluidic fuel cell with narrow electrolyte flow channel

Hao-Nan Wang, Xun Zhu, Rong Chen, Yang Yang, Ding-Ding Ye and Qiang Liao

Applied Energy, 2022, vol. 322, issue C, No S030626192200784X

Abstract: Microfluidic fuel cells employ liquid electrolyte stream instead of conventional polymer electrolyte membrane to compartmentalize the anode and cathode, leading to the improvement of flexibility in practical applications. To boost the electrochemical performance and simplify operating conditions, a two-dimensional two-phase model is developed for a microfluidic fuel cell with a single narrow electrolyte channel, where a transport barrier layer is set close to the cathode to inhibit fuel crossover and remove the blank electrolyte stream. The shortened width of electrolyte channel decreases the distance between the anode and cathode, enhancing the fuel and proton transport and elevating the power density effectively. The generated gaseous CO2 via electrochemical reaction increases mass transfer resistance of liquid fuel through the anode catalyst layer, resulting in dramatic decrease in the fuel concentration and effective active area in the anode catalyst layer. Consequently, the transport of proton and fuel in the anode limits the output power density at high current densities. The numerical results provide a deep understanding of two-phase mass-transport in microfluidic fuel cell with a single narrow electrolyte channel and help better design and operation of this type microfluidic fuel cell.

Keywords: Microfluidic fuel cell; Two-phase mass transport; Narrow electrolyte channel; Fuel crossover; Power density (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119456

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