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Counter-flow formic acid microfluidic fuel cell with high fuel utilization exceeding 90%

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  • Xu, Hong
  • Zhang, Hao
  • Wang, Huizhi
  • Leung, Dennis Y.C.
  • Zhang, Li
  • Cao, Jun
  • Jiao, Kui
  • Xuan, Jin

Abstract

Microfluidic fuel cell (MFC) is a promising energy source for portable applications, which draws lots of R&D attention. However, MFCs fed with hydrocarbon fuel like formic acid suffers low fuel utilization problem because of sluggish kinetics, complicate reaction condition and dilemma on cell control. In this work, a formic acid MFC based on counter-flow design is proposed. This counter-flow structure is verified a promising design for high Graetz number operation, which is especially beneficial for high fuel utilization manipulation of MFC. A breakthrough in fuel utilization is achieved and the highest fuel utilization of 91.4% is obtained at 1μLmin−1. It is revealed that counter-flow MFC is capable for low flow rate operation, which is significant for reduce the pump energy consumption and improve the energy efficiency of MFC system. Each potential loss involved in counter-flow MFC is categorized and it is found that potential loss caused by internal resistance hinders performance mostly.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:160:y:2015:i:c:p:930-936
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.01.101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xuan, Jin & Leung, Michael K.H. & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Wang, Huizhi, 2012. "Towards orientation-independent performance of membraneless microfluidic fuel cell: Understanding the gravity effects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 80-86.
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    3. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wu, Baoxin & Xu, Xinhai & Dong, Guangzhong & Zhang, Mingming & Luo, Shijing & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Wang, Yifei, 2024. "Computational modeling studies on microfluidic fuel cell: A prospective review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    2. Zuria, Alonso Moreno & Abrego-Martinez, Juan Carlos & Sun, Shuhui & Mohamedi, Mohamed, 2020. "Prospects of membraneless mixed-reactant microfluidic fuel cells: Evolution through numerical simulation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    3. Samir De, Biswajit & Cunningham, Joshua & Khare, Neeraj & Luo, Jing-Li & Elias, Anastasia & Basu, Suddhasatwa, 2022. "Hydrogen generation and utilization in a two-phase flow membraneless microfluidic electrolyzer-fuel cell tandem operation for micropower application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    4. Li, Li & Wang, Hongkang & Bei, Shaoyi & Li, Yuanjiang & Sun, Yanyun & Zheng, Keqing & Xu, Qiang, 2023. "Unsymmetrical design and operation in counter-flow microfluidic fuel cell: A prospective study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
    5. 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).
    6. Li, Li & Fan, Wenguang & Xuan, Jin & Leung, Michael K.H. & Zheng, Keqing & She, Yiyi, 2017. "Optimal design of current collectors for microfluidic fuel cell with flow-through porous electrodes: Model and experiment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 413-424.
    7. Lu, Xu & Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi, 2018. "A counter-flow-based dual-electrolyte protocol for multiple electrochemical applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 241-248.
    8. Fu, Ya-Lu & Zhang, Biao & Zhu, Xun & Ye, Ding-Ding & Sui, Pang-Chieh & Djilali, Ned, 2020. "Pore-scale modeling of oxygen transport in the catalyst layer of air-breathing cathode in membraneless microfluidic fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    9. Li, Li & Xu, Qiang & Xie, Yajun & Wang, Xiaochun & Zhu, Kai & Zheng, Keqing & Li, Xinyu & Huang, Haocheng & Huang, Yugang & Bei, Shaoyi, 2024. "Narrow middle channel design in counter-flow microfluidic fuel cell with flow-through electrodes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    10. Lu, Xu & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Wang, Huizhi & Xuan, Jin, 2018. "Microfluidics-based pH-differential reactor for CO2 utilization: A mathematical study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 525-532.
    11. Muhammad Tanveer & Kwang-Yong Kim, 2021. "Flow Configurations of Membraneless Microfluidic Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-33, June.
    12. Lu, Xu & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Wang, Huizhi & Xuan, Jin, 2017. "A high performance dual electrolyte microfluidic reactor for the utilization of CO2," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 549-559.
    13. 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.
    14. 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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