1-1- Two Phase Simulation of Droplets Motion in Cathode Channels and Manifolds of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Fuel Cell Technology Research Laboratory, Malek Ashtar University of Technology

2 Fuel Cell Technology Research Laboratory, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Fereydounkenar, Iran.

3 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering K.N. Toosi University of Technology P.O Box: 19395-1999 Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with a combination of oxygen and hydrogen and production of water converts the chemical energy of the fuel directly and through an electrochemical reaction to electrical energy. One of the most crucial issues for commercializing this technology is water management. In the present study, the motion of liquid droplets that emerged in the gas flow channels with inlet and outlet manifolds is investigated. Due to the small dimensions of these channels, the balance of surface adhesion and other dynamic forces influence the flow of fluid, therefore, the semi- empirical Hoffman model with a two-phase flow method for simulating physics in an applied geometry including gas flow manifolds are used. The effect of tapering the manifold cross-section on the liquid water droplets is also investigated. The physical model used for the dynamic contact angle is validated with data from an experimental study. Simulation results show that by changing the geometry of the input and output manifolds, the problem created in conventional geometry, which causes the obstruction of the last channel due to the accumulation of liquid water, will be resolved, thereby improving the geometry will improve the water management in the channels.

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Main Subjects

References

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 52, Issue 9
December 2020
Pages 2479-2490

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