A flow channel design procedure for PEM fuel cells with effective water removal

Li, Xianguo; Sabir, Imran; Park, Jaewan

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.10.015

Cited by 175 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Therefore, the cell performance is enhanced in the microgravity condition because the flooded area in the flow channel is repeatedly exposed to the reactant gas. Several publications proved that enhancing the reactant gas transport can improve PEMFC performance [14,21]. However, the cell performance in the microgravity conditions is only 4.6% higher than that in normal gravity conditions.…”

Section: Inlet Outletmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An understanding of two-phase flow in fuel cells is needed for effective water management. The two-phase flow inside PEMFCs has a significant impact on reactant transport [12][13][14], e.g., transport limitation. Visualization method is an effective way to observe the two-phase flow, which has been used for tube [15] or minichannel [16] recently.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental study of two-phase flow in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell in short-term microgravity condition

Guo

Zhao

et al. 2014

Applied Energy

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h i g h l i g h t sTwo-phase flow in PEMFC cathode channels is observed in different gravity environments. The PEMFC shows different operating behavior in normal and microgravity conditions. Water tends can be removed in microgravity conditions at high water production regime. Liquid aggregation occurs in microgravity conditions at low water production regime. Effect of gravity on performance and two-phase flow at two operating regimes is studied. a r t i c l e i n f o t r a c tWater management is important for improving the performance and stability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for space applications. An in situ visual observation was conducted on the gasliquid two-phase flow in the cathode channels of a PEMFC in short-term microgravity condition. The microgravity environment was supplied by a drop tower. A single serpentine flow channel with a depth of 2 mm and a width of 2 mm was applied as the cathode flow field. A membrane electrode assembly comprising of a Nafion 112 membrane sandwiched between gas diffusion layers was used. The anode and cathode were loaded with 1 mg cm À2 platinum. The PEMFC shows a distinct operating behavior in microgravity because of the effect of gravity on the two-phase flow. At a high water production regime, cell performance is enhanced by 4.6% and the accumulated liquid water in the flow channel tends can be removed in microgravity conditions to alleviate flooding. At a low water production regime, cell performance deteriorates by 6.6% and liquid aggregation occurs in the flow channel because of the coalescence of dispersed water droplets in microgravity conditions, thus squeezing the flow channel. The operating behavior of PEMFC in microgravity conditions is different from that in normal gravity conditions. Further studies are needed on PEMFC operating characteristics and liquid management for space applications.

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Section: Inlet Outletmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental study of two-phase flow in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell in short-term microgravity condition

Guo

Zhao

et al. 2014

Applied Energy

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“…Complete equivalent electrical circuit schematic, as used in [25] scribed in the literature correspond to those strategies adopted by FC manufacturers [20]. One is the previously explained flow field design [29][30][31][32]. Another strategy is the anode water removal that is based on a decrease in the anode pressure by purging.…”

Section: Membranementioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

et al. 2012

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Original scientific paperThis article focuses on the main issues that affect the lifetime and performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. The short lifespans of these fuel cells represent a barrier to their massive commercialization and usage in mobile and stationary applications. As fuel cell is a very complex system, a lot of knowledge of different areas is required, such as chemistry, electricity and mechanics, in order to completely understand its operation and all the problems that can occur during it. It is for this reason that an interdisciplinary approach needs to be taken when designing fuel-cell energy systems. This paper focuses on identifying and solving those issues that negatively affect the lifetime and performance of fuel cells. It is hoped that this article would be a valuable aid for power electronics' researchers and engineers for better understanding the presented issues and a useful guide for solving them with the use of proper power electronic-devices. Initially, the basic operation and structure of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is explained. Three main issues that can occur during operation of a mobile or stationary fuel cell energy system are pointed out and discussed in details, on the basis of the state-of-the-art on fuel cell technology. These issues are poor water management, reactant gas starvation and fuel cell current ripple. This article provides answers as to why they occur, how they affect the fuel cell, how they can be mitigated, and what are the future trends within this research field.Key words: PEMFC, Water management, Reactant gas starvation, Current ripple, Power electronics.Pregled znanstvenih napredaka u učinskoj elektronici usmjerenih ka osiguravanju efikasnog rada i dužeg životnog vijeka PEM gorivihćelija.Članak se osvrće na ključna pitanja koja utječu na vrijeme rada i performanse gorivihćelija s polimernom membranom kao elektrolitom. Kratak životni vijek gorivihćelija takve vrste prepreka je njihovoj komercijalizaciji i masovnoj upotrebi u mobilnim i stacionarnim stanicama. Budući da su gorivećelije komplicirani sustavi potrebno je znanje iz raznih područja kemije, elektrotehnike i mehanike da bi se u potpunosti mogao razumjeti njihov način rada i problemi koji se dogadaju. Upravo je zbog toga multidisciplinarni pristup nužnost pri razvoju sustava koji koriste gorivećelije. Ovaj ječlanak usmjeren prema identifikaciji i rješavanju onih problema koji negativno utječu na životni vijek i performanse gorivihćelija. Autori se nadaju daće sečlanak pokazati kao korisna pomoć i vodič istraživačima i inženjerima u domeni učinske elektronike pri susretu s navedenim problemima. Objašnjen je način rada i struktura gorivećelije s polimernom membranom kao elektrolitom. Izložena su, i diskutirana do u detalje, tri glavna problema sa stajališta trenutačnih spoznaja u području učinske elektronike. Ti problemi su: loše upravljanje vodom, nestanak reaktantnog plina i strujni trzaji u gorivimćelijama. Objašnjeno je zašto se ovi problemi dogadaju, kako utječu na gorivućelij...

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“…It has previously been recognized that the flowfield design could have a strong effect on water flooding (Li et al 2007;Owejan et al 2007;Shimpalee et al 2006;Xu and Zhao 2007). In this paper, four serpentine flow channel design configurations were fabricated to investigate their effects on water flooding and concomitant fuel cell performance.…”

Section: Effect Of Flow Field Channel On Water Floodingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Hardware Design and Operation Conditions on PEM Fuel Cell Water Flooding

Zhang

Shi

et al. 2010

International Journal of Green Energy

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A flow channel design procedure for PEM fuel cells with effective water removal

Cited by 175 publications

References 20 publications

Experimental study of two-phase flow in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell in short-term microgravity condition

Experimental study of two-phase flow in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell in short-term microgravity condition

A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

Effects of Hardware Design and Operation Conditions on PEM Fuel Cell Water Flooding

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