IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v240y2022ics036054422102733x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

High-efficiency fuel utilization innovation in microfluidic fuel cells: From liquid-feed to vapor-feed

Author

Listed:
  • Ouyang, Tiancheng
  • Lu, Jie
  • Xu, Peihang
  • Hu, Xiaoyi
  • Chen, Jingxian

Abstract

Fuel cells are an efficient, environmentally friendly and renewable energy device, which is synonymous with the green age. Microfluidic fuel cells are an excellent solution to the energy needs of portable electronic devices. In the present study, both vapor- and liquid-feed modes are established, which are combined with physical fields. Moreover, the accuracy of the models is verified. According to the results, the vapor-feed microfluidic fuel cell achieves higher tolerance to low flow rates while realizing a much higher energy efficiency than the liquid-feed microfluidic fuel cell. In addition, the performance of these microfluidic fuel cells is significantly improved by increasing the electrolyte and fuel concentrations. In terms of fuel utilization, the vapor-feed mode performs much better than that of liquid-feed mode no matter what parameters are changed, which shows the superiority of vapor-feed microfluidic fuel cell. Sensitivity analysis shows that either the electrolyte or fuel concentration significantly affects the power output of these microfluidic fuel cells. Although their growth can improve the power output of the fuel cells, they have adverse effects on energy efficiency. Conclusions indicate that the vapor-feed microfluidic fuel cell is more suitable for portable electronic products, and it is worthy of further development.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:240:y:2022:i:c:s036054422102733x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.122484
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036054422102733X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122484?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. 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.
    2. Wang, Yifei & Kwok, Holly Y.H. & Pan, Wending & Zhang, Huimin & Lu, Xu & Leung, Dennis Y.C., 2019. "Parametric study and optimization of a low-cost paper-based Al-air battery with corrosion inhibition ability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Mahmoodi, S.R. & Mayer, M. & Besser, R.S., 2021. "Rapid and simple assembly of a thin microfluidic fuel cell stack by gas-assisted thermal bonding," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    4. Xuan, Jin & Leung, Michael K.H. & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Wang, Huizhi, 2012. "Laminar flow-based fuel cell working under critical conditions: The effect of parasitic current," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 87-93.
    5. Zhou, Jing & Cao, Jiamu & Zhang, Yufeng & Liu, Junfeng & Chen, Junyu & Li, Mingxue & Wang, Weiqi & Liu, Xiaowei, 2021. "Overcoming undesired fuel crossover: Goals of methanol-resistant modification of polymer electrolyte membranes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    6. Chen, Ben & Zhou, Haoran & He, Shaowen & Meng, Kai & Liu, Yang & Cai, Yonghua, 2021. "Numerical simulation on purge strategy of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with dead-ended anode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    7. Lin, Rui & Wang, Hong & Zhu, Yu, 2021. "Optimizing the structural design of cathode catalyst layer for PEM fuel cells for improving mass-specific power density," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    8. Li, Li & Zheng, Keqing & Ni, Meng & Leung, Michael K.H. & Xuan, Jin, 2015. "Partial modification of flow-through porous electrodes in microfluidic fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 563-571.
    9. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi, 2015. "A vapor feed methanol microfluidic fuel cell with high fuel and energy efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 456-465.
    10. Dong, Pengcheng & Xie, Gongnan & Ni, Meng, 2021. "Improved energy performance of a PEM fuel cell by introducing discontinuous S-shaped and crescent ribs into flowing channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    11. 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).
    12. 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.
    13. Kakaei, Karim & Rahnavardi, Mohammad, 2021. "Synthesis of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide and its decoration with high efficiency palladium nanoparticles for direct ethanol fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1277-1286.
    14. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C., 2016. "A circular stacking strategy for microfluidic fuel cells with volatile methanol fuel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 659-669.
    15. Li, Yi & Yuan, Fang & Weng, Rengang & Xi, Fang & Liu, Wei, 2021. "Variational-principle-optimized porosity distribution in gas diffusion layer of high-temperature PEM fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    16. Lu, Xu & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Wang, Huizhi & Maroto-Valer, M. Mercedes & Xuan, Jin, 2016. "A pH-differential dual-electrolyte microfluidic electrochemical cells for CO2 utilization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 277-285.
    17. 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.
    18. Fu, Hao & Shen, Jiong & Sun, Li & Lee, Kwang Y., 2021. "In-depth characteristic analysis and wide range optimal operation of fuel cell using multi-model predictive control," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    19. Pongratz, G. & Subotić, V. & Schroettner, H. & Hochenauer, C. & Skrzypkiewicz, M. & Kupecki, Jakub & Anca-Couce, A. & Scharler, R., 2021. "Analysis of H2S-related short-term degradation and regeneration of anode- and electrolyte supported solid oxide fuel cells fueled with biomass steam gasifier product gas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    20. Zhang, Xian-Wen & Wang, Xue-Jian & Cheng, Xiao-Zhang & Jin, Lei & Zhu, Jian-Wei & Zhou, Tao-Tao, 2020. "Numerical analysis of global and local performance variations of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with different bend layouts and flow directions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    21. Huang, Fuxiang & Qiu, Diankai & Xu, Zhutian & Peng, Linfa & Lai, Xinmin, 2021. "Analysis and improvement of flow distribution in manifold for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    22. Xu, Guoxiao & Wu, Zhiguang & Wei, Zenglv & Zhang, Wenjie & Wu, Junli & Li, Ying & Li, Jing & Qu, Konggang & Cai, Weiwei, 2020. "Non-destructive fabrication of Nafion/silica composite membrane via swelling-filling modification strategy for high temperature and low humidity PEM fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 935-939.
    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. 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. Fang, Shuo & Song, Nan & Liu, Yuntao & Zhou, Chaoyang & Zhao, Chunhui & Wang, Yun, 2023. "Oscillator design for high efficiency DC-DC of micro direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    3. Li, Li & Ling, Lei & Xie, Yajun & Zhou, Wencai & Wang, Tianbo & Zhang, Lanchun & Bei, Shaoyi & Zheng, Keqing & Xu, Qiang, 2023. "Comparative study of thermal management systems with different cooling structures for cylindrical battery modules: Side-cooling vs. terminal-cooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    4. 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).

    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. 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).
    2. 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).
    3. 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.
    4. Muhammad Tanveer & Kwang-Yong Kim, 2021. "Flow Configurations of Membraneless Microfluidic Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-33, June.
    5. Ouyang, Tiancheng & Lu, Jie & Zhao, Zhongkai & Chen, Jingxian & Xu, Peihang, 2021. "New insight on the mechanism of vibration effects in vapor-feed microfluidic fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(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. 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).
    8. Ouyang, Tiancheng & Chen, Jingxian & Liu, Wenjun & Xu, Peihang & Lu, Jie & Zhao, Zhongkai, 2022. "A comprehensive evaluation for microfluidic fuel cells from anti-vibration viewpoint using phase field theory," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 676-693.
    9. Wang, Yifei & Luo, Shijing & Kwok, Holly Y.H. & Pan, Wending & Zhang, Yingguang & Zhao, Xiaolong & Leung, Dennis Y.C., 2021. "Microfluidic fuel cells with different types of fuels: A prospective review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    10. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi, 2017. "A review on unitized regenerative fuel cell technologies, part B: Unitized regenerative alkaline fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell, and microfluidic fuel cell," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 775-795.
    11. Wang, Yifei & Leung, Dennis Y.C., 2016. "A circular stacking strategy for microfluidic fuel cells with volatile methanol fuel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 659-669.
    12. 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).
    13. Rostami, Leila & Haghshenasfard, Masoud & Sadeghi, Morteza & Zhiani, Mohammad, 2022. "A 3D CFD model of novel flow channel designs based on the serpentine and the parallel design for performance enhancement of PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    14. Chen, Jingxian & Xu, Peihang & Lu, Jie & Ouyang, Tiancheng & Mo, Chunlan, 2021. "A prospective study of anti-vibration mechanism of microfluidic fuel cell via novel two-phase flow model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    15. Zhou, Yu & Chen, Ben & Chen, Wenshang & Deng, Qihao & Shen, Jun & Tu, Zhengkai, 2022. "A novel opposite sinusoidal wave flow channel for performance enhancement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    16. 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.
    17. 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).
    18. 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).
    19. Zhou, Yu & Chen, Ben & Meng, Kai & Zhou, Haoran & Chen, Wenshang & Zhang, Ning & Deng, Qihao & Yang, Guanghua & Tu, Zhengkai, 2023. "Optimal design of a cathode flow field for performance enhancement of PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 343(C).
    20. Li, Yi & Yuan, Fang & Weng, Rengang & Xi, Fang & Liu, Wei, 2021. "Variational-principle-optimized porosity distribution in gas diffusion layer of high-temperature PEM fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).

    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:energy:v:240:y:2022:i:c:s036054422102733x. 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.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    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.