Two-phase Flow Phenomena in Fuel Cell Microchannels

Two-phase Flow Phenomena in Fuel Cell Microchannels PDF Author: Julie Elizabeth Steinbrenner
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells show promise as CO2-free energy-conversion devices. Predictions show that reducing the size of the gas delivery channels could improve the efficiency and power density of PEM fuel cells, however the expected benefits of reduced channel sizes have not been realized due to flooding by water generated at the cathode. Channels with small dimensions exhibit an increased propensity toward flooding as surface tension forces become significant when compared with viscous, inertial, and pressure forces. This study characterizes the distinct two-phase flow profiles that result from the interplay of these forces. We investigate fundamental water-gas interactions in silicon channels of various hydraulic diameters and cross-sectional aspect ratios using a high-contrast fluorescent imaging technique. Then, we develop a test structure to study the evolution of two-phase flow structures in a microchannel geometry designed to mimic conditions in a fuel cell channel -- a 60-cm long channel with distributed water introduction through a porous gas diffusion layer (GDL) on one wall. Finally, we present considerations for the implementation of spinning-disk confocal microscopy to provide three-dimensional (3D) visualization of two-phase flow structures which may provide insight into key flow transitions that were observed during high-speed fluorescent flow visualization. By characterizing and modeling two-phase flow in various microchannel geometries and under a large range of flow conditions, these studies provide insight that enables the improved design of microchannels for two-phase flow in fuel cells and other practical devices.

Two-phase Flow Phenomena in Fuel Cell Microchannels

Two-phase Flow Phenomena in Fuel Cell Microchannels PDF Author: Julie Elizabeth Steinbrenner
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 149

Get Book Here

Book Description
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells show promise as CO2-free energy-conversion devices. Predictions show that reducing the size of the gas delivery channels could improve the efficiency and power density of PEM fuel cells, however the expected benefits of reduced channel sizes have not been realized due to flooding by water generated at the cathode. Channels with small dimensions exhibit an increased propensity toward flooding as surface tension forces become significant when compared with viscous, inertial, and pressure forces. This study characterizes the distinct two-phase flow profiles that result from the interplay of these forces. We investigate fundamental water-gas interactions in silicon channels of various hydraulic diameters and cross-sectional aspect ratios using a high-contrast fluorescent imaging technique. Then, we develop a test structure to study the evolution of two-phase flow structures in a microchannel geometry designed to mimic conditions in a fuel cell channel -- a 60-cm long channel with distributed water introduction through a porous gas diffusion layer (GDL) on one wall. Finally, we present considerations for the implementation of spinning-disk confocal microscopy to provide three-dimensional (3D) visualization of two-phase flow structures which may provide insight into key flow transitions that were observed during high-speed fluorescent flow visualization. By characterizing and modeling two-phase flow in various microchannel geometries and under a large range of flow conditions, these studies provide insight that enables the improved design of microchannels for two-phase flow in fuel cells and other practical devices.

Mini-Micro Fuel Cells

Mini-Micro Fuel Cells PDF Author: S. Kakaç
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402082959
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description
This volume contains an archival record of the NATO Advanced Institute on Mini – Micro Fuel Cells – Fundamental and Applications held in Çesme – Izmir, Turkey, July 22–August 3, 2007. The ASIs are intended to be a high-level teaching activity in scientific and technical areas of current concern. In this volume, the reader may find interesting chapters on Mini- Micro Fuel Cells with fundamentals and applications. In recent years, fu- cell development, modeling and performance analysis has received much attention due to their potential for distributed power which is a critical issue for energy security and the environmental protection. Small fuel cells for portable applications are important for the security. The portable devices (many electronic and wireless) operated by fuel cells for providing all-day power, are very valuable for the security, for defense and in the war against terrorism. Many companies in NATO and non-NATO countries have concentrated to promote the fuel cell industry. Many universities with industrial partners committed to the idea of working together to develop fuel cells. As tech- logy advanced in the 1980s and beyond, many government organizations joined in spending money on fuel-cell research. In recent years, interest in using fuel cells to power portable electronic devices and other small equipment (cell phones, mobile phones, lab-tops, they are used as micro power source in biological applications) has increased partly due to the promise of fuel cells having higher energy density.

Micro & Nano-Engineering of Fuel Cells

Micro & Nano-Engineering of Fuel Cells PDF Author: Dennis Y.C. Leung
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1315815079
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 337

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Book Description
Fuel cells are clean and efficient energy conversion devices expected to be the next generation power source. During more than 17 decades of research and development, various types of fuel cells have been developed with a view to meet the different energy demands and application requirements. Scientists have devoted a great deal of time and effort

PEM Water Electrolysis

PEM Water Electrolysis PDF Author: Dmitri Bessarabov
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0081028318
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
PEM Water Electrolysis, a volume in the Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Primers series presents the most recent advances in the field. It brings together information that has thus far been scattered in many different sources under one single title, making it a useful reference for industry professionals, researchers and graduate students. Volumes One and Two allow readers to identify technology gaps for commercially viable PEM electrolysis systems for energy applications and examine the fundamentals of PEM electrolysis and selected research topics that are top of mind for the academic and industry community, such as gas cross-over and AST protocols. The book lays the foundation for the exploration of the current industrial trends for PEM electrolysis, such as power to gas application and a strong focus on the current trends in the application of PEM electrolysis associated with energy storage. - Presents the fundamentals and most current knowledge in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers - Explores the technology gaps and challenges for commercial deployment of PEM water electrolysis technologies - Includes unconventional systems, such as ozone generators - Brings together information from many different sources under one single title, making it a useful reference for industry professionals, researchers and graduate students alike

Phase Separation in Two-phase Microfluidic Heat Exchangers

Phase Separation in Two-phase Microfluidic Heat Exchangers PDF Author: Milnes P. David
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 151

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Book Description
Two-phase microfluidic heat exchangers have the potential to meet the large heat dissipation demands of high power electronics and computing systems. Two-phase cooling systems face practical challenges brought on by the growth and advection of the vapor phase in the confined geometries, which lead to large pressure drops, increased thermal resistance and the formation of detrimental flow instabilities. One proposed solution to these issues is phase separation, whereby the vapor is locally separated from the two-phase flow through a porous hydrophobic membrane. This dissertation describes a series of studies conducted to develop an understanding of the factors that influence vapor separation and its impact on the hydraulic and thermal characteristics of two-phase heat exchangers. Flow phenomena are a critical component in developing this understanding of phase separation. High speed visualization of adiabatic and diabatic vaporizing flows was carried out in a single 124[Mu]m by 98[Mu]m copper microchannel with a 65[Mu]m thick, 220nm pore diameter hydrophobic PTFE membrane wall. During adiabatic air-water flow, wavy-stratified and stratified flow dominated lower liquid velocities, while plug and annular type flows dominated at the higher velocities. Analysis found that air removal could be improved by increasing the venting area, increasing the trans-membrane pressure or using thinner, high permeability membranes. Diabatic water-vapor experiments with mass flux velocities of 140 and 340 kg/s-m2 and exit qualities up to 20% found that stratified type flows dominate at lower mass fluxes while cyclical churn-annular flow became more prevalent at the higher mass-flux and quality. The observed flow regimes are hypothesized to play a significant role in determining the pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient during flow boiling. To study the impact of various geometric and membrane factors on the performance of a phase separating microchannel heat exchanger dissipating 100W of heat, a numerical model incorporating vapor separation and transport during two-phase flow boiling in a microchannel was developed. The impact of substrate thermal conductivity and thickness, membrane permeability and thickness, liquid channel density, liquid and vent channel diameter and vent-to-liquid channel diameter ratio was studied and compared for a standard non-venting heat exchanger, a vapor venting heat exchanger and a non-venting heat exchanger occupying the same increased volume as the venting heat exchanger. The numerical study found that the venting heat exchanger had improved pressure drop and device temperatures for all tested conditions when compared against a standard heat exchanger but only under very limited conditions when compared against the volumetrically equivalent non-venting heat exchanger. The study indicates that the best venting heat exchanger performance is achieved when the membrane conductance is of the same order or higher than that of the microchannel; this can be achieved through the use of thin high permeability membranes coupled with small hydraulic diameter microchannels. Finally, a study was conducted to explore the fabrication methods to build a vapor separating heat exchanger and to quantify the operating performance of multichannel silicon and copper phase separating devices. A copper parallel microchannel heat exchanger with nineteen 130[Mu]m square microchannels was built and tested at heat fluxes of up to 820 kW/m2 and water mass fluxes of between 102 and 420 kg/s-m2. Normalized pressure drop was improved by as much as 60% and average substrate temperature by a maximum of 4.4°C between the non-venting control and vapor venting device under similar operating conditions. Comparison between the experimental results and simulation predictions found higher than expected pressure drop improvements at higher mass fluxes and poorer heat transfer coefficients at the lowest mass flux. Based on the flow phenomena study these discrepancies are believed to be due to the mass flux and vapor quality dependent two-phase flow structures. The encouraging experimental and numerical results motivate further study into phase separation methods, materials and flow physics. The development of a high performance phase separating heat exchanger, with the thermal benefits of two-phase boiling flow and the hydraulic benefits of single-phase liquid flow, would strongly enable the adoption and application of two-phase heat exchangers to provide effective and efficient cooling for next generation high power computing systems.

Micro Fuel Cells

Micro Fuel Cells PDF Author: Tim Zhao
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080878873
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Today's consumers of portable electronics consumers are demanding devices not only deliver more power but also work healthy for the environment. This fact alone has lead major corporations like Intel, BIC, Duracell and Microsoft to believe that Microfuel Cells could be the next-generation power source for electronic products. Compact and readable, Microfuels Principles and Applications, offers engineers and product designers a reference unsurpassed by any other in the market. The book starts with a clear and rigorous exposition of the fundamentals engineering principles governing energy conversion for small electronic devices, followed by self-contained chapters concerning applications. The authors provide original points of view on all types of commercially available micro fuel cells types, including micro proton exchange membrane fuel cells, micro direct methanol fuel cells, micro solid oxide fuel cells and micro bio-fuel cells. The book also contains a detailed introduction to the fabrication of the components and the assembly of the system, making it a valuable reference both in terms of its application to product design and understanding micro engineering principles. - An overview of the micro fuel cell systems and applications - A detailed introduction to the fabrication of the components and the assembly of the system - Original points of view on prospects of micro fuel cells

Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in Minichannels and Microchannels

Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in Minichannels and Microchannels PDF Author: Satish Kandlikar
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 9780080445274
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description
&Quot;This book explores flow through passages with hydraulic diameters from about 1 [mu]m to 3 mm, covering the range of minichannels and microchannels. Design equations along with solved examples and practice problems are also included to serve the needs of practicing engineers and students in a graduate course."--BOOK JACKET.

Basic Transport Phenomena in Materials Engineering

Basic Transport Phenomena in Materials Engineering PDF Author: Manabu Iguchi
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 4431540202
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
This book presents the basic theory and experimental techniques of transport phenomena in materials processing operations. Such fundamental knowledge is highly useful for researchers and engineers in the field to improve the efficiency of conventional processes or develop novel technology. Divided into four parts, the book comprises 11 chapters describing the principles of momentum transfer, heat transfer, and mass transfer in single phase and multiphase systems. Each chapter includes examples with solutions and exercises to facilitate students’ learning. Diagnostic problems are also provided at the end of each part to assess students’ comprehension of the material. The book is aimed primarily at students in materials science and engineering. However, it can also serve as a useful reference text in chemical engineering as well as an introductory transport phenomena text in mechanical engineering. In addition, researchers and engineers engaged in materials processing operations will find the material useful for the design of experiments and mathematical models in transport phenomena. This volume contains unique features not usually found in traditional transport phenomena texts. It integrates experimental techniques and theory, both of which are required to adequately solve the inherently complex problems in materials processing operations. It takes a holistic approach by considering both single and multiphase systems, augmented with specific practical examples. There is a discussion of flow and heat transfer in microscale systems, which is relevant to the design of modern processes such as fuel cells and compact heat exchangers. Also described are auxiliary relationships including turbulence modeling, interfacial phenomena, rheology, and particulate systems, which are critical to many materials processing operations.

Two-Phase Flow for Automotive and Power Generation Sectors

Two-Phase Flow for Automotive and Power Generation Sectors PDF Author: Kaushik Saha
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811332568
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
This book focuses on the two-phase flow problems relevant in the automotive and power generation sectors. It includes fundamental studies on liquid–gas two-phase interactions, nucleate and film boiling, condensation, cavitation, suspension flows as well as the latest developments in the field of two-phase problems pertaining to power generation systems. It also discusses the latest analytical, numerical and experimental techniques for investigating the role of two-phase flows in performance analysis of devices like combustion engines, gas turbines, nuclear reactors and fuel cells. The wide scope of applications of this topic makes this book of interest to researchers and professionals alike.

Microchannel Phase Change Transport Phenomena

Microchannel Phase Change Transport Phenomena PDF Author: Sujoy Kumar Saha
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN: 0128043563
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 358

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Book Description
Microchannel Heat transfer is the cooling application of high power density microchips in the CPU system, micropower systems and many other large scale thermal systems requiring effective cooling capacity. This book offers the latest research and recommended models on the microsize cooling system which not only significantly reduces the weight load, but also enhances the capability to remove much greater amount of heat than any of large scale cooling systems. A detailed reference in microchannel phase change (boiling and condensation) including recommended models and correlations for various requirements such as pressure loss, and heat transfer coefficient. Researchers, engineers, designers and students will benefit from the collated, state-of-the-art of the research put together in this book and its systematic, addressing all the relevant issues and providing a good reference for solving problems of critical analysis. - Up-to-date information will help delineate further research direction in the microchannel heat transfer - The latest modeling information and recommendations will help in design method and purpose