Dynamic behavior of liquid water transport in a tapered channel of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell cathode |
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Authors: | N. Akhtar P.J.A.M. Kerkhof |
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Affiliation: | Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Technical University Eindhoven, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | A numerical model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode with a tapered channel design has been developed in order to examine the dynamic behavior of liquid water transport. Three-dimensional, transient simulations employing the level-set method (available in COMSOL 3.5a, a commercial finite element method software) have been used to explicitly track the liquid-gas interface. A liquid water droplet suspended in the center of the channel, 2 mm from the channel entrance, is subjected to airflow in the bulk of the channel. Three different cases have been studied: 1) hydrophobic bottom wall representing the gas diffusion layer and hydrophilic channel top and side walls, 2) all walls are partially wetted i.e. having a contact angle of 90°, 3) a hydrophilic bottom wall and hydrophobic top and side walls. The results show that tapering the channel downstream helps in water exhaust due to increased airflow velocity. A bottom wall, although hydrophilic, results in fast removal of water droplet as compared to partially wetted and hydrophobic bottom surfaces. |
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Keywords: | Cathode Liquid water Proton exchange membrane fuel cell Level-set Tapered |
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