Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel
Water management is a crucial aspect in the efficient functioning of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The presence of a two-phase flow, consisting of water and reactive gas, in the channel of the PEMFC is of utmost importance for effective water management. This study focuses on investi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-08-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/16/5892 |
| _version_ | 1797584922730299392 |
|---|---|
| author | Zijun Li Jianguo Wang Shubo Wang Weiwei Li Xiaofeng Xie |
| author_facet | Zijun Li Jianguo Wang Shubo Wang Weiwei Li Xiaofeng Xie |
| author_sort | Zijun Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Water management is a crucial aspect in the efficient functioning of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The presence of a two-phase flow, consisting of water and reactive gas, in the channel of the PEMFC is of utmost importance for effective water management. This study focuses on investigating the removal of liquid water in 3D wave channels and 2D straight channels using the volume of fluid method. The study analyzes the dynamic behavior of droplets emerging from the gas diffusion layer (GDL) into the channel under the influence of gas flow. The study also explores the effects of droplet growth, deformation, detachment, force, and pore size on critical water behavior and water content in the channel. The results indicate that the 3D wave channel is more effective in removing liquid water compared to the 2D straight channel. It is observed that increasing the velocity facilitates the discharge of liquid water. However, excessively high velocities lead to parasitic power losses. Furthermore, while larger pore sizes in the GDL are not advantageous for PEMFC performance, a moderate increase in pore size aids in the discharge of liquid water. The knowledge gained through this study deepens the understanding of droplet dynamics in PEMFC gas channels and assists in optimizing the design and operational conditions of these channels. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:58:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c990da6a41e440e09e0d12788bd8706b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:58:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-c990da6a41e440e09e0d12788bd8706b2023-11-19T00:55:41ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-08-011616589210.3390/en16165892Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave ChannelZijun Li0Jianguo Wang1Shubo Wang2Weiwei Li3Xiaofeng Xie4School of Naval Architecture and Maritime, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, ChinaSany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., Changsha 430100, ChinaInstitute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaInstitute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaInstitute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaWater management is a crucial aspect in the efficient functioning of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The presence of a two-phase flow, consisting of water and reactive gas, in the channel of the PEMFC is of utmost importance for effective water management. This study focuses on investigating the removal of liquid water in 3D wave channels and 2D straight channels using the volume of fluid method. The study analyzes the dynamic behavior of droplets emerging from the gas diffusion layer (GDL) into the channel under the influence of gas flow. The study also explores the effects of droplet growth, deformation, detachment, force, and pore size on critical water behavior and water content in the channel. The results indicate that the 3D wave channel is more effective in removing liquid water compared to the 2D straight channel. It is observed that increasing the velocity facilitates the discharge of liquid water. However, excessively high velocities lead to parasitic power losses. Furthermore, while larger pore sizes in the GDL are not advantageous for PEMFC performance, a moderate increase in pore size aids in the discharge of liquid water. The knowledge gained through this study deepens the understanding of droplet dynamics in PEMFC gas channels and assists in optimizing the design and operational conditions of these channels.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/16/5892PEMFCtwo-phase flowdroplet dynamics behavior3D and 2D flow fieldwater managementvolume of fluid |
| spellingShingle | Zijun Li Jianguo Wang Shubo Wang Weiwei Li Xiaofeng Xie Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel Energies PEMFC two-phase flow droplet dynamics behavior 3D and 2D flow field water management volume of fluid |
| title | Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel |
| title_full | Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel |
| title_fullStr | Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel |
| title_full_unstemmed | Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel |
| title_short | Liquid Water Transport Characteristics and Droplet Dynamics of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with 3D Wave Channel |
| title_sort | liquid water transport characteristics and droplet dynamics of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with 3d wave channel |
| topic | PEMFC two-phase flow droplet dynamics behavior 3D and 2D flow field water management volume of fluid |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/16/5892 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zijunli liquidwatertransportcharacteristicsanddropletdynamicsofprotonexchangemembranefuelcellswith3dwavechannel AT jianguowang liquidwatertransportcharacteristicsanddropletdynamicsofprotonexchangemembranefuelcellswith3dwavechannel AT shubowang liquidwatertransportcharacteristicsanddropletdynamicsofprotonexchangemembranefuelcellswith3dwavechannel AT weiweili liquidwatertransportcharacteristicsanddropletdynamicsofprotonexchangemembranefuelcellswith3dwavechannel AT xiaofengxie liquidwatertransportcharacteristicsanddropletdynamicsofprotonexchangemembranefuelcellswith3dwavechannel |