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The Entrance Effect of Pin Type Flow Channel on Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 May 2012

T.-Y. Chen ,
Y.-T. Liao  and
Y.-D. Kuan
T.-Y. Chen*
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tamkang University, New Taipei, Taiwan 25137, R.O.C.
Y.-T. Liao
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tamkang University, New Taipei, Taiwan 25137, R.O.C.
Y.-D. Kuan
Affiliation:
Department of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Energy Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan 41170, R.O.C.
*
*Corresponding author (tychen@mail.tku.edu.tw)
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Abstract

This research alters the traditional single inlet/outlet opening of the pin type flow channel of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Multi-inlet/outlet openings are designed with the aim to distribute the methanol solution evenly and effectively remove CO2 bubbles and to improve the cell performance. The CO2 bubble dynamics in anode flow channels and the cell performance are investigated. Results show that the newly designed flow channels can overcome restrictions resulting from fuel and effectively remove CO2 bubbles, thereby enhancing the performance of the pin type DMFC. The “three-inlet and three-outlet” design increases the current density output by 19%.

Keywords

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)Pin-type flow channelBubble visualization
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Mechanics , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 361 - 364
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, R.O.C. 2012

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References

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