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Numerical Investigation of Liquid Water Transport Dynamics in Novel Hybrid Sinusoidal Flow Channel Designs for PEMFC

Author

Listed:
  • Ikechukwu S. Anyanwu

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Yuze Hou

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Wenmiao Chen

    (Weichai Power Co. Ltd., 197A Fushou St. E., Weifang 261016, China)

  • Fengwen Pan

    (Weichai Power Co. Ltd., 197A Fushou St. E., Weifang 261016, China)

  • Qing Du

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Jin Xuan

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK)

  • Kui Jiao

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China)

Abstract

This study numerically investigates liquid water dynamics in a novel hybrid sinusoidal flow channel of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The two-phase flow is examined using a three-dimensional, transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation employing the coupled level set and volume of fluid (VOF) method. Simulations for hybrid and non-hybrid sinusoidal flow channels, including a straight flow channel, are compared based on their water exhaust capacities and pressure drops. Additionally, the effects of inlet gas velocity, wall wettability, and droplet interaction in the flow channel on the dynamic behaviour of liquid water are investigated. Results reveal that the novel hybrid sinusoidal channel designs are consistent in terms of quicker water removal under varying hydrophilic wall conditions. Also, it is found that the liquid surface coverage, detachment, and removal rate depends on droplet proximity to the walls, inlet gas velocity, and wall contact angle. Also, the time a droplet makes contact with the side walls affect the discharge time. Additionally, there is an improvement in the gas velocity magnitude and vertical component velocity across the hybrid sinusoidal channel designs. Therefore, the unique geometric configuration of the proposed hybrid design makes it a viable substitute for water management in PEMFC applications.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:21:p:4030-:d:279476
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jin Hyun Kim & Woo Tae Kim, 2018. "Numerical Investigation of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow inside PEMFC Gas Channels with Rectangular and Trapezoidal Cross Sections," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Yuan, Wei & Tang, Yong & Yang, Xiaojun & Wan, Zhenping, 2012. "Porous metal materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 309-329.
    3. 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.
    4. 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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    Cited by:

    1. Ewa Janicka & Michal Mielniczek & Lukasz Gawel & Kazimierz Darowicki, 2021. "Optimization of the Relative Humidity of Reactant Gases in Hydrogen Fuel Cells Using Dynamic Impedance Measurements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Ikechukwu S. Anyanwu & Zhiqiang Niu & Daokuan Jiao & Aezid-Ul-Hassan Najmi & Zhi Liu & Kui Jiao, 2020. "Liquid Water Transport Behavior at GDL-Channel Interface of a Wave-Like Channel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Wang, Yulin & Wang, Han & Wang, Guozhuo & Li, Hua & Zhao, Yulong & He, Wei, 2023. "Enhancement of water droplet drainage performance in a cathode flow channel with baffles for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).

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