NUMERICAL STUDY ON TWO-PHASE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS IN SERPENTINE CHANNELS OF PEMFC

Qin Lei; Guo Xueyan

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-0037

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Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5) : 21-28. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-0037

NUMERICAL STUDY ON TWO-PHASE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS IN SERPENTINE CHANNELS OF PEMFC

Qin Lei, Guo Xueyan

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Abstract

This study investigates the water management characteristics of proton exchange membrane fuel cells （PEMFC） under varying operational conditions. A numerical analysis of two-phase flow within the cathode’s serpentine channels was conducted using the Volume of Fluid （VOF） method. Water inlet holes were created at the bottom of the channel and different phase ratios were set as inlet conditions. The objective was to examine the impact of two-phase flow and transport processes of mixtures with varying phase ratios on water management.The results reveal that different phase ratios significantly influence the separation time and volume of water at the channel inlet. Two distinct separation pattern and wall preference discrepancies were identified, with significant accumulation differences observed at U-shaped tube sections. The characteristic flow patterns within the channel correlate with the separation patterns and influence the channel's drainage capabilities.

Key words

PEMFC / two-phase flow / water management / VOF / steam-water mixture

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Qin Lei, Guo Xueyan. NUMERICAL STUDY ON TWO-PHASE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS IN SERPENTINE CHANNELS OF PEMFC[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2025, 46(5): 21-28 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-0037

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