Numerical Investigation of Liquid Water Transport Dynamics in Novel Hybrid Sinusoidal Flow Channel Designs for PEMFC

Ikechukwu S. Anyanwu, Yuze Hou, Wenmiao Chen, Fengwen Pan, Qing Du, Jin Xuan and Kui Jiao
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Ikechukwu S. Anyanwu: State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
Yuze Hou: State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
Wenmiao Chen: Weichai Power Co. Ltd., 197A Fushou St. E., Weifang 261016, China
Fengwen Pan: Weichai Power Co. Ltd., 197A Fushou St. E., Weifang 261016, China
Qing Du: State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
Jin Xuan: Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
Kui Jiao: State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: This study numerically investigates liquid water dynamics in a novel hybrid sinusoidal flow channel of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The two-phase flow is examined using a three-dimensional, transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation employing the coupled level set and volume of fluid (VOF) method. Simulations for hybrid and non-hybrid sinusoidal flow channels, including a straight flow channel, are compared based on their water exhaust capacities and pressure drops. Additionally, the effects of inlet gas velocity, wall wettability, and droplet interaction in the flow channel on the dynamic behaviour of liquid water are investigated. Results reveal that the novel hybrid sinusoidal channel designs are consistent in terms of quicker water removal under varying hydrophilic wall conditions. Also, it is found that the liquid surface coverage, detachment, and removal rate depends on droplet proximity to the walls, inlet gas velocity, and wall contact angle. Also, the time a droplet makes contact with the side walls affect the discharge time. Additionally, there is an improvement in the gas velocity magnitude and vertical component velocity across the hybrid sinusoidal channel designs. Therefore, the unique geometric configuration of the proposed hybrid design makes it a viable substitute for water management in PEMFC applications.

Keywords: PEMFC; hybrid sinusoidal flow channel; two-phase flow; liquid water; CFD; VOF method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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