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The effect of gas diffusion layer compression on gas bypass and water slug motion in parallel gas flow channels
Author(s) -
Ye Donghao H.,
Gauthier Eric,
Cheah May Jean,
Benziger Jay,
Pan Mu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.14686
Subject(s) - slug flow , mechanics , permeability (electromagnetism) , chemistry , flow (mathematics) , gaseous diffusion , two phase flow , membrane , electrode , biochemistry , physics
Water slugs form in the gas flow channels of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) which hinder reactant transport to the catalyst layer. We report a study correlating video images of slug formation and motion with pressure/flow measurements in parallel gas flow channels. Slugs move when the differential gas pressure exceeds the force to advance the contact lines of the slug with the channel walls. Water slugs can divert the gas flow through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) beneath the ribs to adjacent channels. The flow diversion can cause slugs to stop moving. Slug size and motion has been correlated with in situ GDL permeabilities as functions of GDL compression. Compression reduces the GDL permeability under the ribs much more than the GDL permeability under the channel. A model is presented to describe the spatio‐temporal location of slugs in a PEMFC flow field. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 61: 355–367, 2015