Two-dimensional multiphase non-isothermal modeling of a flowing electrolyte - Direct methanol fuel cell


Atacan O. F., Ouellette D., ÇOLPAN C. Ö.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, cilt.42, sa.4, ss.2669-2679, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 42 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2017
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.06.214
  • Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2669-2679
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: DMFC, Two-dimensional modeling, Comsol Multiphysics, Non-isothermal, Simulation, Two phase, WATER TRANSPORT, PERFORMANCE, CROSSOVER
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

A two-dimensional, non-isothermal, two-phase model is developed to investigate the non isothermal and thermo-osmotic behavior within a flowing electrolyte direct methanol fuel cell (FE-DMFC). The physics of this fuel cell are examined and discussed for varied anode and cathode inlet temperatures, with particular emphasis being placed on the non isothermal behavior of this fuel cell. The results show that the cathode's thermal entrance length is much larger than that of the anode's, and that the cathode's inlet temperature influences the overall cell temperature more significantly than that of the anode's. This was found to be primarily due to the cathode's high velocity and molecular diffusivity, which allowed for a high degree of convective cooling. This effect was found to cause the mid-plane temperature to be similar to 10 degrees C lower than that of the set point temperature for the coldest air inlet temperature of 40 degrees C. Furthermore, it was also found that possible flooding conditions could occur within the cathode air channel, if either the anode's or cathode's inlet temperature is too low, relative to the fuel cell's set point temperature. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.