A Numerical Study of Bubble Blockage in Microfluidic Fuel Cells

Abstract

Based on fuel crossover behavior and bubble nucleation in the microfluidic fuel cell’s channel, this research numerically presents the performance of air-breathing direct formic acid microfluidic fuel cells. In the simulation, a three-dimensional microfluidic fuel cell model was used. The continuity, momentum, species transport, and charge equations were used to develop the model transport behavior, whereas the Brinkman equation represented the porous medium flow in the gas diffusion layer. The I–V and power density curves are generated using the Butler–Volmer equation. The simulation and current experimental data were compared under identical operating conditions to validate the I–V curve of the microfluidic fuel cell model. The model was used to investigate the current density distribution in the microchannel due to bubble obstruction and the reactant concentration on both electrodes. Fuel crossover resulted in a large decrease in open-circuit voltage and a reduction in fuel concentration above the anode electrode. The findings also showed that a low-flow rate air-breathing direct formic acid microfluidic fuel cell is more prone to CO2 bubble formation.