Numerical investigation of anode channel clogging of a PEMFC with a realistic droplet size distribution

Abstract

In this paper, a parametric study of anode channel clogging of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is presented using the numerical volume of fluid method. The droplet size distribution in the present research is considered close to reality. Therefore, three droplets with different sizes are initially placed on the anode channel wall. The droplet sizes are obtained based on the distribution of the saturated liquid water along the whole channel under a specific working condition and the amount of condensed water in the channel, using the PEMFC code. Finally, the dynamic behavior of the droplets is investigated and compared to that of a single droplet with the same total volume. Numerical results show that, in the case of three droplets, the droplets coalesce during the removal time and form a larger droplet. Also, the droplets gradually spread over the channel walls and eventually reach the upper corners of the channel and form liquid slugs. Then, the slugs move slowly toward the channel outlet, and after a while, their shapes and positions are fixed and cause the channel clogging. Changing the number of droplets does not significantly change the time of channel clogging. The numerical results show that the time-averaged pressure drop of three droplets is about 85% less than that of a single droplet.