Efficient water management is crucial for the good performances of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The geometric and physical characteristics of the components of a PEMFC as well as operating conditions have an impact on the transport of water through the porous transport layer (PTL) and the two-phase flow regimes in the microchannels. One parameter of importance is the local temperature, which affects properties such as surface tension and is coupled with phase change. Indeed, a temperature difference of about 5K is expected across the PTL, with spatial variations due to the geometry of the flow field plate. We present preliminary results obtained with a first experimental setup for the ex-situ characterization of two-phase flow regimes in the flow channels. Water is pushed through the PTL, which is sandwiched between a porous metal foam and the flow field plate. The air flow rate, temperature and humidity can be controlled. The cell can be heated up by applying an electrical current through the metal foam. A transparent window is located on top of the flow channel. The two-phase flow within the micro-channels is visualized using a high-speed camera and laser-induced fluorescence. Preliminary results obtained under isothermal conditions at room temperature show that different two-phase flow regimes occur in the channels depending on the operating conditions, in good qualitative agreement with data from the literature. Eventually, a new visualization cell is presented that is expected to correct the flaws of the previous design and will allow a better thermal control. It will be possible to adjust the temperature gradient and the mean temperature in order to observe their impact on two-phase flow regimes for different types of PTL and flow rates. The results will provide a better understanding of water transport in PEMFC and benchmark data for the validation of numerical models.
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ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels collocated with 3rd Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting
August 1–5, 2010
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- Fluids Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5450-1
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Ex-Situ Characterization of Two-Phase Flow Regimes in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Under Non-Isothermal Conditions Available to Purchase
Arganthae¨l Berson,
Arganthae¨l Berson
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Jon G. Pharoah
Jon G. Pharoah
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Arganthae¨l Berson
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Jon G. Pharoah
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Paper No:
FEDSM-ICNMM2010-31220, pp. 1129-1133; 5 pages
Published Online:
March 1, 2011
Citation
Berson, A, & Pharoah, JG. "Ex-Situ Characterization of Two-Phase Flow Regimes in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Under Non-Isothermal Conditions." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels collocated with 3rd Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Summer Meeting. ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels: Parts A and B. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. August 1–5, 2010. pp. 1129-1133. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FEDSM-ICNMM2010-31220
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