Characterisation of the diffusion properties of metal foam hybrid flow-fields for fuel cells using optical flow visualisation and X-ray computed tomography

Fly, Ashley; Butcher, Daniel; Meyer, Quentin; Whiteley, Michael; Spencer, A. J. M.; Kim, Changsoo; Shearing, Paul R.; Brett, Dan J. L.; Chen, Rui

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.05.070

Cited by 41 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Kumar and Reddy [12] then conducted a direct comparison between multi-parallel channels and a Ni-Cr foam flow-field plate, showing improved mass transport behaviour in the foam flow-field at high currents. Similar behaviour was also observed by Tseng et al [13], Tsai et al [14], Shin et al [15] and Kim et al [18], with the improvement performance believed to be due to improved reactant distribution of the metal foam flow-field, as demonstrated during single phase flow visualisation by Fly et al [19]. Fly et al [20] investigated how foam compression affects fuel cell performance through electrochemical tests and X-ray computed tomography, demonstrating improved performance up to 70% thickness compression, primarily due to improved contact between the foam and bi-polar plate.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Liquid Water Transport in Porous Metal Foam Flow-Field Fuel Cells: A Two-Phase Numerical Modelling and Ex-Situ Experimental Study

et al. 2019

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Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) using porous metallic foam flow-field plates have been demonstrated as an alternative to conventional rib and channel designs, showing high performance at high currents. However, the transport of liquid product water through metal foam flow-field plates in PEMFC conditions is not well understood, especially at the individual pore level. In this work, ex-situ experiments are conducted to visualise liquid water movement within a metal foam flow-field plate, considering hydrophobicity, foam pore size and air flow rate. A two-phase numerical model is then developed to further investigate the fundamental water transport behaviour in porous metal foam flow-field plates. Both the experimental and numerical work demonstrate that unlike conventional PEMFC channels, air flow rate does not have a strong influence on water removal due to the high surface tensions between the water and foam pore ligaments. A hydrophobic foam was seen to transport liquid water away from the initial injection point faster than a hydrophilic foam. In ex-situ tests, liquid water forms and maintains a random preferential pathway until the flow-field edge is reached. These results suggest that controlled foam hydrophobicity and pore size is the best way of managing water distribution in PEMFCs with porous flow-field plates.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Liquid Water Transport in Porous Metal Foam Flow-Field Fuel Cells: A Two-Phase Numerical Modelling and Ex-Situ Experimental Study

et al. 2019

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“…86 Similarly, a novel porous hybrid flow field has been proposed bay Fly et al., which consists of semicircular channels created by compression on metal foam. 56 Fewer pressure drops and diffusion resistance has been achieved on porous material via channels. Flow fields which consist of confined porous materials are determined to have higher heat convection in case of excessive heat discharge from the cell than parallel or conventional flow fields by Hossain and Shabani.…”

Section: Advanced Flow Field Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow field designs and approaches for performance enhancement

Celik

Karagöz

2019

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are carbon-free electrochemical energy conversion devices that are appropriate for use as a power source on vehicles and mobile devices emerging with their high energy density, lightweight structure, quick startup and lower operating temperature capabilities. However, they need more developments in the aspects of reactant distribution, less pressure drops, precisely balanced water content and heat management to achieve more reliable and higher overall cell performance. Flow field development is one of the most important fields of study to increase cell performance since it has decisive effects on performance parameters, including bipolar plate, and thus fuel cell weight. In this study, recent developments on conventional flow field designs to eliminate their weaknesses and innovative design approaches and flow field architectures are obtained from patent databases, and both numerical and experimental scientific studies. Fundamental designs that create differences are introduced, and their effects on the performance are discussed with regard to origin, objective, innovation strategy of design besides their strength and probable open development ways. As a result, significant enhancements and design strategies on flow field designs in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are summarized systematically to guide prospective flow field development studies.

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“…This design could improve the flow distribution uniformity across the active area due to their favourable pore connectivity and numerous gas pathways [24]. Numerous researchers have examined the influence of flow-field separators, water management, and coating methods on the performance of metal foam based PEFCs [25]- [34]. In addition, studies report that PEFCs performance is strongly affected by the compression ratios of the metal foam [35]- [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of the diffusion properties of metal foam hybrid flow-fields for fuel cells using optical flow visualisation and X-ray computed tomography

Cited by 41 publications

References 29 publications

Liquid Water Transport in Porous Metal Foam Flow-Field Fuel Cells: A Two-Phase Numerical Modelling and Ex-Situ Experimental Study

Liquid Water Transport in Porous Metal Foam Flow-Field Fuel Cells: A Two-Phase Numerical Modelling and Ex-Situ Experimental Study

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow field designs and approaches for performance enhancement

Multi-length scale characterization of compression on metal foam flow-field based fuel cells using X-ray computed tomography and neutron radiography

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