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Numerical investigation of water dynamics in a novel wettability gradient anode flow channel for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Author(s) -
Zhang Xiaoqing,
Yang Jiapei,
Ma Xiao,
Chen Wenmiao,
Shuai Shijin,
Zhuge Weilin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.5648
Subject(s) - wetting , volume of fluid method , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , anode , materials science , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , water transport , contact angle , channel (broadcasting) , water flow , volumetric flow rate , chemical engineering , chemistry , membrane , environmental engineering , composite material , environmental science , engineering , electrical engineering , electrode , physics , biochemistry
Summary The effective removal and transport of water in flow channels play an important role in the water management of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this paper, a novel design of anode serpentine flow channel with the wettability gradient wall is discussed and numerically investigated by utilizing the volume‐of‐fluid (VOF) method. The effects of the contact angle and the wettability gradient of channel walls, as well as hydrogen flow velocity and water droplet size, on the droplet dynamic behavior are studied. The results indicate that compared with the conventional flow channel, the water droplet can be more effectively removed from the turning part in the wettability gradient flow channel. And the water removal ability in the turning part is improved with the increase of the wettability gradient. Moreover, the wettability gradient flow channel can also improve the water removal performance for the cases with different hydrogen flow velocities and water droplet sizes. This study provides ideas for guiding the design of flow channel to effectively enhance anode water management.