IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v208y2017icp1083-1096.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The effects of flow-field orientation on water management in PEM fuel cells with serpentine channels

Author

Listed:
  • Ashrafi, Moosa
  • Shams, Mehrzad

Abstract

A numerical scheme for the effect of flow-field orientation on water management in PEM fuel cell is developed. Since there are limitations on the location of proton exchange membrane fuel cell such as portable applications, different configurations are used for proper water management. Therefore, the best configuration must be chosen for the most efficient and stable operation of the fuel cells. In this research, a 3D numerical model is proposed based on the VOF method in order to simulate the effects of gravity on the gas–liquid two-phase flow in a full-scale single-serpentine flow-field. This model, which is validated by the experimental results, considers the microstructure of the gas diffusion layer by two square pores in every cross section along the channels. The simulations are done for the vertical and horizontal fuel cells. The effects of water coverage ratios and flow regimes on pressure drop and the resulting parasitic power loss are investigated for different configurations. In the vertical orientation, the channels are placed horizontally or vertically in each configuration. The results reveal that in the vertical cells, when the channels are located horizontally and the inlet manifold is embedded on the upper side of the flow-field, the pressure drop is the lowest. The reason is that the film flow is formed in the channels and the gravity assists in the water removal. However, when both the cell and channels are vertical and the cathode inlet manifold is placed on the bottom of the flow-field, the pressure drop and the resulting parasitic power is the highest. This is due to the gravity is against the water purging from the elbows leading to formation of long plugs along the channels. The present numerical model can be used for simulation of two-phase flow in channels of the serpentine flow-field at any cell orientation angle by changing the gravity direction in the model.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashrafi, Moosa & Shams, Mehrzad, 2017. "The effects of flow-field orientation on water management in PEM fuel cells with serpentine channels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 1083-1096.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:208:y:2017:i:c:p:1083-1096
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.09.044
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261917313260
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.09.044?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    2. Guo, Hang & Liu, Xuan & Zhao, Jian Fu & Ye, Fang & Ma, Chong Fang, 2014. "Experimental study of two-phase flow in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell in short-term microgravity condition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 509-518.
    3. Wang, Yun & Chen, Ken S. & Mishler, Jeffrey & Cho, Sung Chan & Adroher, Xavier Cordobes, 2011. "A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Technology, applications, and needs on fundamental research," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 981-1007, April.
    4. Qin, Yanzhou & Li, Xianguo & Jiao, Kui & Du, Qing & Yin, Yan, 2014. "Effective removal and transport of water in a PEM fuel cell flow channel having a hydrophilic plate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 116-126.
    5. Li, Yuehua & Pei, Pucheng & Wu, Ziyao & Xu, Huachi & Chen, Dongfang & Huang, Shangwei, 2017. "Novel approach to determine cathode two-phase-flow pressure drop of proton exchange membrane fuel cell and its application on water management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 713-724.
    6. Hossain, Mamdud & Islam, Sheikh Zahidul & Colley-Davies, Amy & Adom, Ebenezer, 2013. "Water dynamics inside a cathode channel of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 763-779.
    7. Wang, Junye, 2015. "Theory and practice of flow field designs for fuel cell scaling-up: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 640-663.
    8. Mortazavi, Mehdi & Tajiri, Kazuya, 2015. "Two-phase flow pressure drop in flow channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Review of experimental approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 296-317.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bai, Xingying & Jian, Qifei, 2023. "Experimental study of a passive thermal management system using vapor chamber for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    2. Xiao, Liusheng & Bian, Miaoqi & Sun, Yushuai & Yuan, Jinliang & Wen, Xiaofei, 2024. "Transport properties evaluation of pore-scale GDLs for PEMFC using orthogonal design method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    3. Sarjuni, C.A. & Lim, B.H. & Majlan, E.H. & Rosli, M.I., 2024. "A review: Fluid dynamic and mass transport behaviour in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Huo, Sen & Cooper, Nathanial James & Smith, Travis Lee & Park, Jae Wan & Jiao, Kui, 2017. "Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell cold start behavior containing porous metal foam as cathode flow distributor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 101-114.
    2. Chowdhury, Mohammad Ziauddin & Timurkutluk, Bora, 2018. "Transport phenomena of convergent and divergent serpentine flow fields for PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 104-117.
    3. Wang, Junye, 2017. "System integration, durability and reliability of fuel cells: Challenges and solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 460-479.
    4. Hasheminasab, M. & Kermani, M.J. & Nourazar, S.S. & Khodsiani, M.H., 2020. "A novel experimental based statistical study for water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    5. Li, Yuehua & Pei, Pucheng & Ma, Ze & Ren, Peng & Wu, Ziyao & Chen, Dongfang & Huang, Hao, 2019. "Characteristic analysis in lowering current density based on pressure drop for avoiding flooding in proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 321-329.
    6. Wang, Junye, 2015. "Theory and practice of flow field designs for fuel cell scaling-up: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 640-663.
    7. Mo, Jingke & Kang, Zhenye & Yang, Gaoqiang & Retterer, Scott T. & Cullen, David A. & Toops, Todd J. & Green, Johney B. & Zhang, Feng-Yuan, 2016. "Thin liquid/gas diffusion layers for high-efficiency hydrogen production from water splitting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 817-822.
    8. Pei, Pucheng & Chen, Huicui, 2014. "Main factors affecting the lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells in vehicle applications: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 60-75.
    9. Cai, Genchun & Liang, Yunmin & Liu, Zhichun & Liu, Wei, 2020. "Design and optimization of bio-inspired wave-like channel for a PEM fuel cell applying genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    10. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    11. Guo, Hang & Zhao, Qiang & Ye, Fang, 2022. "An experimental study on gas and liquid two-phase flow in orientated-type flow channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells by using a side-view method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 603-618.
    12. Vasile, Nicolò S. & Doherty, Ronan & Monteverde Videla, Alessandro H.A. & Specchia, Stefania, 2016. "3D multi-physics modeling of a gas diffusion electrode for oxygen reduction reaction for electrochemical energy conversion in PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 435-450.
    13. Niu, Zhiqiang & Bao, Zhiming & Wu, Jingtian & Wang, Yun & Jiao, Kui, 2018. "Two-phase flow in the mixed-wettability gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 443-450.
    14. Singdeo, Debanand & Dey, Tapobrata & Gaikwad, Shrihari & Andreasen, Søren Juhl & Ghosh, Prakash C., 2017. "A new modified-serpentine flow field for application in high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 13-22.
    15. Bai, Xingying & Luo, Lizhong & Huang, Bi & Huang, Zhe & Jian, Qifei, 2021. "Flow characteristics analysis for multi-path hydrogen supply within proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    16. Yanzhou Qin & Xuefeng Wang & Rouxian Chen & Xiang Shangguan, 2018. "Water Transport and Removal in PEMFC Gas Flow Channel with Various Water Droplet Locations and Channel Surface Wettability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, April.
    17. Fan Yang & Xiaoming Xu & Yuehua Li & Dongfang Chen & Song Hu & Ziwen He & Yi Du, 2023. "A Review on Mass Transfer in Multiscale Porous Media in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Mechanism, Modeling, and Parameter Identification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-24, April.
    18. Suárez, Christian & Toharias, Baltasar & Salva Aguirre, María & Chesalkin, Artem & Rosa, Felipe & Iranzo, Alfredo, 2023. "Experimental dynamic load cycling and current density measurements of different inlet/outlet configurations of a parallel-serpentine PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    19. Zhang, Heng & Xiao, Liusheng & Chuang, Po-Ya Abel & Djilali, Ned & Sui, Pang-Chieh, 2019. "Coupled stress–strain and transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cell with metallic bipolar plates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    20. Liao, Shuxin & Qiu, Diankai & Yi, Peiyun & Peng, Linfa & Lai, Xinmin, 2022. "Modeling of a novel cathode flow field design with optimized sub-channels to improve drainage for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:208:y:2017:i:c:p:1083-1096. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.