Excessive water accumulation at the cathode can cause cathode flooding in a fuel cell. Two design methodologies, TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and biomimetic design, were applied to address the problem. A concept generated from TRIZ involves reversing the direction of cathode flow periodically to introduce dryer gas to the previous outlet, where it is previously saturated, with the humidified gas exiting the previous inlet. The concept is intended to reduce the potential for a channel to flood. A prototype apparatus was created to evaluate the concept. It consisted of a cell with a bare Nafion™ membrane pressurized by water on one side and with air flowing on the other side. The prototype apparatus demonstrated a potential loss of overall water removal efficiency in air. Therefore, the flow direction reversal concept may not benefit an actual fuel cell. A second concept generated from the biomimetic design method involves gathering liquid water with cavities and directing the liquid water out of the flow channels. Cavities for water collection in the flow channels of a bipolar plate are created in two configurations. In the first configuration the cavity is created by extending a straight channel from the u-bend in the channel. In the second configuration, the cavity is created by a hole perpendicular to the channel into the bipolar plate. Once the liquid water is collected at cavities, the water is directed out of the cell with wicking materials. A prototype with injected liquid water demonstrated the potential benefits for a fuel cell.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
June 14–16, 2010
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4404-5
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Water Management Concepts in PEMFC With Biomimetic and TRIZ Design Methods Available to Purchase
Keith Fung,
Keith Fung
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
J. S. Wallace,
J. S. Wallace
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
L. H. Shu
L. H. Shu
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Keith Fung
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
J. S. Wallace
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
L. H. Shu
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Paper No:
FuelCell2010-33348, pp. 189-197; 9 pages
Published Online:
December 3, 2010
Citation
Fung, K, Wallace, JS, & Shu, LH. "Water Management Concepts in PEMFC With Biomimetic and TRIZ Design Methods." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. ASME 2010 8th International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference: Volume 1. Brooklyn, New York, USA. June 14–16, 2010. pp. 189-197. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2010-33348
Download citation file:
8
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
Simplified Model to Predict Incipient Flooding/Dehydration in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2007)
Experimental and Computational Evaluation of Performance and Water Management Characteristics of a Bio-Inspired Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (December,2015)
Transport Phenomena Analysis in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
J. Heat Transfer (December,2005)
Related Chapters
Insights and Results of the Shutdown PSA for a German SWR 69 Type Reactor (PSAM-0028)
Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment & Management (PSAM)
Various Applications of the Membrane Theory
Stress in ASME Pressure Vessels, Boilers, and Nuclear Components
Conclusions
Chitosan and Its Derivatives as Promising Drug Delivery Carriers