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Visualization of two-phase flow and temperature characteristics of an active liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell with diverse flow fields

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  • Yuan, Wei
  • Wang, Aoyu
  • Yan, Zhiguo
  • Tan, Zhenhao
  • Tang, Yong
  • Xia, Hongrong

Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a promising power source for portable applications. This study aims to reveal the two-phase flow characteristics of an active liquid-feed DMFC by using the visualization method. Different flow fields based on the serpentine, parallel and porous patterns and their effects on reactant and product managements are experimentally investigated. Results show that the performance of serpentine flow field is closely influenced by the change of methanol feed rate but the parallel pattern shows less sensitivity. The use of serpentine flow field enables the fuel cell to be operated with a higher methanol concentration. A higher methanol feed rate promotes removal of the produced gas bubbles. The oxygen feed rate has a negligible effect on the fuel cell with a cathode serpentine flow field but produces a more obvious performance difference in the case of parallel pattern. The visualization tests indicate that the use of a higher oxygen flow rate is helpful in water removal. The temperature characteristics of the anode serpentine channel are evaluated and how the temperature behaviors relate to different operating conditions are accordingly discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan, Wei & Wang, Aoyu & Yan, Zhiguo & Tan, Zhenhao & Tang, Yong & Xia, Hongrong, 2016. "Visualization of two-phase flow and temperature characteristics of an active liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell with diverse flow fields," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 85-98.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:179:y:2016:i:c:p:85-98
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhengang Zhao & Dongjie Li & Xiaoping Xu & Dacheng Zhang, 2023. "An Adaptive Joint Operating Parameters Optimization Approach for Active Direct Methanol Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Wu, Lizhen & An, Liang & Jiao, Daokuan & Xu, Yifan & Zhang, Guobin & Jiao, Kui, 2022. "Enhanced oxygen discharge with structured mesh channel in proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Michaela Roschger & Sigrid Wolf & Kurt Mayer & Matthias Singer & Viktor Hacker, 2022. "Alkaline Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell: Effect of the Anode Flow Field Design and the Setup Parameters on Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Yang, Qinwen & Xiao, Gang & Li, Lexi & Che, Mengjie & Hu, Xu-Qu & Meng, Min, 2021. "Collaborative design of multi-type parameters for design and operational stage matching in fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1101-1110.
    5. Wang, Aoyu & Yuan, Wei & Huang, Shimin & Tang, Yong & Chen, Yu, 2017. "Structural effects of expanded metal mesh used as a flow field for a passive direct methanol fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 184-194.
    6. Yuan, Wei & Wang, Aoyu & Ye, Guangzhao & Pan, Baoyou & Tang, Kairui & Chen, Haimu, 2017. "Dynamic relationship between the CO2 gas bubble behavior and the pressure drop characteristics in the anode flow field of an active liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 431-443.
    7. Li, Yang & Zhang, Xuelin & Yuan, Weijian & Zhang, Yufeng & Liu, Xiaowei, 2018. "A novel CO2 gas removal design for a micro passive direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 599-607.
    8. Chen, Xueye & Li, Tiechuan & Shen, Jienan & Hu, Zengliang, 2017. "From structures, packaging to application: A system-level review for micro direct methanol fuel cell," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 669-678.
    9. Ke, Yuzhi & Zhang, Baotong & Bai, Yafeng & Yuan, Wei & Li, Jinguang & Liu, Ziang & Su, Xiaoqing & Zhang, Shiwei & Ding, Xinrui & Wan, Zhenping & Tang, Yong & Zhou, Feikun, 2023. "Bubble-derived contour regeneration of flow channel by in situ tracking for direct methanol fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).

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