Enhancement of two-phase flow and mass transport by a two-dimensional flow channel with variable cross-sections in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Jinguang Li, Yuzhi Ke, Wei Yuan, Yafeng Bai, Baotong Zhang, Zi'ang Liu, Zhenhe Lin, Qingsen Liu and Yong Tang

Renewable Energy, 2023, vol. 219, issue P2

Abstract: A novel two-dimensional flow channel (TDFCH) with variable cross-sections geometrically controlled by sinusoidal function is proposed for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Two-phase flow simulations and visualisation experiments are combined to reveal the mechanisms for improved water management and enhanced reactant transport. Results show that the centrifugal force generated by the vortex pushes the liquid water away from the central region of the flow channel, forming droplet and film flows to avoid blockage of the flow channel. The reactant gases accumulate on the windward side of the variable-diameter structures, leading to an increase of the local pressure and facilitating fuel diffusion into the porous electrode. The fluid inertia enhances mass transfer of reactants and removal of liquid water inside the porous electrode. The amplitude A of the flow channel based on sinusoidal curve plays a dominant role in improving the performance of the TDFCH. Under the same testing conditions, when amplitude A = 0.2 and period T = 2, the peak power density of the TDFCH-based cell reaches 517.9 mW cm−2, which is 26 % higher than the conventional straight flow channel. The newly designed TDFCH provides an efficient solution to realize performance improvement and long-term stable operation of PEMFCs.

Keywords: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Flow channel; Two-phase flow; Numerical simulation; Visualisation experiment; Variable diameter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:219:y:2023:i:p2:s0960148123014155

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.119500

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