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CFD Simulation of Two‐Phase Flow Patterns in the Gas Channel of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Author(s) -
Guelli Ulson de Souza Selene M. A.,
Mancusi Erasmo,
Fontana Éliton,
Ulson de Souza Antônio Augusto
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201400545
Subject(s) - proton exchange membrane fuel cell , pressure drop , flow (mathematics) , two phase flow , mechanics , computational fluid dynamics , volumetric flow rate , chemistry , membrane , materials science , biochemistry , physics
Water management plays a critical role in the operation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The liquid water emerging from the gas diffusion layer (GDL) in the gas flow channel of a PEMFC gives rise to liquid‐phase flow patterns, which affect the fuel cell performance. The role of the surface properties of the GDL was investigated through numerical analysis by varying the hydrophobic characteristic of the GDL. The effect of different channel geometries was also taken into account by considering a classical rectangular channel and a tapered one. Tapering the gas flow channel increases the gas velocity and thus the water removal, but it also raises the pressure drop. The water removal rate is enhanced by an increase in the hydrophobic properties of the wall.