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Investigation of Two-Phase Flow in a Hydrophobic Fuel-Cell Micro-Channel

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  • N. Ibrahim-Rassoul

    (Faculty of Physics Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Fluid Mechanics, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, B.P. 32, El-Alia, Alger 16111, Algeria)

  • E.-K. Si-Ahmed

    (Faculty of Physics Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Fluid Mechanics, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, B.P. 32, El-Alia, Alger 16111, Algeria
    GEPEA, CNRS, ONIRIS, Nantes University, UMR 6144, 37, Bd de l’Université, BP 406, 44602 Saint-Nazaire, France)

  • A. Serir

    (Faculty of Electronics Laboratory Image Processing and Radiation, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, B.P. 32, El-Alia, Alger 16111, Algeria)

  • A. Kessi

    (Faculty of Mathematics USTHB, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, B.P. 32, El-Alia, Alger 16111, Algeria)

  • J. Legrand

    (GEPEA, CNRS, ONIRIS, Nantes University, UMR 6144, 37, Bd de l’Université, BP 406, 44602 Saint-Nazaire, France)

  • N. Djilali

    (Institute for Integrated Energy Systems & Department Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada)

Abstract

This paper presents a quantitative visualization study and a theoretical analysis of two-phase flow relevant to polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in which liquid water management is critical to performance. Experiments were conducted in an air-flow microchannel with a hydrophobic surface and a side pore through which water was injected to mimic the cathode of a PEMFC. Four distinct flow patterns were identified: liquid bridge (plug), slug/plug, film flow, and water droplet flow under small Weber number conditions. Liquid bridges first evolve with quasi-static properties while remaining pinned; after reaching a critical volume, bridges depart from axisymmetry, block the flow channel, and exhibit lateral oscillations. A model that accounts for capillarity at low Bond number is proposed and shown to successfully predict the morphology, critical liquid volume and evolution of the liquid bridge, including deformation and complete blockage under specific conditions. The generality of the model is also illustrated for flow conditions encountered in the manipulation of polymeric materials and formation of liquid bridges between patterned surfaces. The experiments provide a database for validation of theoretical and computational methods.

Suggested Citation

  • N. Ibrahim-Rassoul & E.-K. Si-Ahmed & A. Serir & A. Kessi & J. Legrand & N. Djilali, 2019. "Investigation of Two-Phase Flow in a Hydrophobic Fuel-Cell Micro-Channel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-32, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:11:p:2061-:d:235492
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Djilali, N., 2007. "Computational modelling of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells: Challenges and opportunities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 269-280.
    2. 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.
    3. Jun Shen & Zhichun Liu & Fan Liu & Wei Liu, 2018. "Numerical Simulation of Water Transport in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Flow Channel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-23, July.
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    1. Gabriela Rafałko & Iwona Zaborowska & Hubert Grzybowski & Romuald Mosdorf, 2020. "Boiling Synchronization in Two Parallel Minichannels—Image Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-9, March.
    2. Yin, Yan & Li, Yu & Qin, Yanzhou & Li, Mengjie & Liu, Guokun & Zhang, Junfeng & Zhao, Jian, 2022. "Ex-situ experimental study on dynamic behaviors and detachment characteristics of liquid water in a transparent channel of PEMFC," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 1037-1049.
    3. Ikechukwu S. Anyanwu & Yuze Hou & Wenmiao Chen & Fengwen Pan & Qing Du & Jin Xuan & Kui Jiao, 2019. "Numerical Investigation of Liquid Water Transport Dynamics in Novel Hybrid Sinusoidal Flow Channel Designs for PEMFC," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-20, October.

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