Entropy Generation Minimization for the Optimal Design of the Fluid Distribution System in a Circular MCFC

Sciacovelli, Adriano; Verda, Vittorio

doi:10.5541/ijot.320

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…The constructal literature is expanding rapidly in the domain of tree-shaped designs for conduction, [31][32][33][34][35][36] fluid flow, [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] and convective heat transfer. [46][47][48][49][50] A central feature of these designs is the notion that when channels bifurcate or coalesce their diameters should change by certain factors, so that the overall flow through the architecture is facilitated.…”

Section: Tree-shaped Designs: Conduction Fluid Flow and Convectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constructal law of design and evolution: Physics, biology, technology, and society

Bejan

Lorente

2013

Journal of Applied Physics

308

167

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This is a review of the theoretical and applied progress made based on the Constructal law of design and evolution in nature, with emphasis on the last decade. The Constructal law is the law of physics that accounts for the natural tendency of all flow systems (animate and inanimate) to change into configurations that offer progressively greater flow access over time. The progress made with the Constructal law covers the broadest range of science, from heat and fluid flow and geophysics, to animal design, technology evolution, and social organization (economics, government). This review presents the state of this fast growing field, and draws attention to newly opened directions for original research. The Constructal law places the concepts of life, design, and evolution in physics.

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Section: Tree-shaped Designs: Conduction Fluid Flow and Convectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constructal law of design and evolution: Physics, biology, technology, and society

Bejan

Lorente

2013

Journal of Applied Physics

308

167

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Performance Improvement of a Circular MCFC Through Optimal Design of the Fluid Distribution System

Sciacovelli

Verda

Amelio

et al. 2012

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology

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In this paper, the prototype of a circular molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) built in the laboratories of FN SpA Nuove Tecnologie e Servizi Avanzati is analyzed using a tridimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model. The prototype is the result of FN and Politecnico di Torino activities developed for the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) within the framework of Ministry of Economic Development, MSE-ENEA. This model considers heat, mass and current transfer as well as chemical and electrochemical reactions. The results show that some inhomogeneous distributions in the reactants, causing nonoptimal use of the reactant surfaces. An effective way to improve the distribution in current density consists in tracing tree shaped channels on the surface onto the distribution porous medium. In this paper, Y shaped channels are adopted to improve the distribution of gas within the fuel cell and consequently to enhance the performance of the original design of the fuel cell. In addition, the configuration of the outlet of the anodic compartment is also investigated in order to further increase the performance of the fuel cell. The geometrical parameter identifying the topology of distribution channels are chosen accordingly to the constructal theory. The results show that significant improvements can be achieved. Power density is increased of about 6% when the tree-shaped channel is adopted. If a double anodic inlet is also considered, the enhancement in the power density is of about 11% with respect to the initial configuration.

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Study on the Entropy Generation Distribution Characteristics of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell System under Different CO2 Enrichment Conditions

et al. 2020

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The efficient and clean use of fuel is very important for the sustainable development of energy. In this article, a numerical study of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) unit is carried out, and the source, distribution, and extent of six irreversible losses (fluid friction loss, mass transfer loss, ohmic loss, activation loss, heat transfer loss, the coupling loss between heat and mass transfer) are described and quantified. The effects of the operation temperature, current density, CO2 concentration, and cathode CO2 utilization rate on the exergy destruction and exergy efficiency during the power generation process are investigated. The results show that the main source of entropy generation in MCFC is the potential difference, which affects the ohmic and activation entropy generation, especially when the CO2 concentration is very low. The second is the temperature gradient, which causes the entropy production of the heat transfer. With the rise of the CO2 concentration at the cathode inlet, the exergy destruction reduces and the exergy efficiency increases. With the rise of the cathode CO2 utilization rate, the exergy destruction rises and the exergy efficiency reduces. Therefore, analyzing the irreversible process transfer mechanism in MCFC can provide the theoretical basis for its thermal performance optimization and structure design.

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Entropy Generation Minimization for the Optimal Design of the Fluid Distribution System in a Circular MCFC

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Constructal law of design and evolution: Physics, biology, technology, and society

Constructal law of design and evolution: Physics, biology, technology, and society

Performance Improvement of a Circular MCFC Through Optimal Design of the Fluid Distribution System

Study on the Entropy Generation Distribution Characteristics of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell System under Different CO2 Enrichment Conditions

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