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Optimal design of current collectors for microfluidic fuel cell with flow-through porous electrodes: Model and experiment

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  • Li, Li
  • Fan, Wenguang
  • Xuan, Jin
  • Leung, Michael K.H.
  • Zheng, Keqing
  • She, Yiyi

Abstract

Design optimization of current collectors has been performed to reduce the significant ohmic resistance observed in microfluidic fuel cell (MFC) with flow-through porous electrodes. A three-dimensional computational model is developed to investigate the electron transport characteristics in the porous electrodes, where lateral electron transport is found to encounter high resistance. Influences of different current collector design parameters on the transport resistances are examined and analyzed. The modeling results indicate that current collector position is the most influential factor due to the non-uniform flow rate distribution. Optimal current collector position is located at the high flow rate region instead of the conventional exposed end of the porous electrode. Experimental studies are performed to support the modeling analysis. The experimental results demonstrate that the optimized current collector position can boost the maximum power density by 61%. This study highlights the significance of the current collector design in achieving high performance MFC with flow-through porous electrodes. Based on the results, some general rules have been set for the current collector designs in this energy system, which can provide useful guidance for the future development of MFC.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:206:y:2017:i:c:p:413-424
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhong, Kengqiang & Li, Meng & Yang, Yue & Zhang, Hongguo & Zhang, Bopeng & Tang, Jinfeng & Yan, Jia & Su, Minhua & Yang, Zhiquan, 2019. "Nitrogen-doped biochar derived from watermelon rind as oxygen reduction catalyst in air cathode microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 516-525.
    3. She, Yiyi & Chen, Jinfan & Zhang, Chengxu & Lu, Zhouguang & Ni, Meng & Sit, Patrick H.-L. & Leung, Michael K.H., 2018. "Nitrogen-doped graphene derived from ionic liquid as metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction and its mechanisms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 513-521.
    4. 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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