Two-phase flow in porous metal foam flow fields of PEM fuel cells

TL;DR

This study explores the complex gas-liquid two-phase flow behaviors in porous metal foam flow fields of PEM fuel cells, revealing flow patterns and suggesting optimization strategies for improved water management.

Contribution

It provides detailed pore-scale analysis of two-phase flows in PMF flow fields, highlighting flow patterns and the impact of surface properties on water management in PEMFCs.

Findings

Identified film, plug, and ligament flows in hydrophilic PMF.

Found slug and droplet flows in hydrophobic PMF.

Suggested pore size and surface hydrophobicity optimization for water management.

Abstract

Porous metal foam (PMF) flow field is a potential option for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) due to its excellent capabilities in gas distribution and water drainage. However, the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the PMF flow field on the pore scale is still unclear. In this study, we investigate the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the PMF flow field. Film, plug, and ligament flows are found in the hydrophilic PMF flow field, while slug and droplet flows are found in the hydrophobic PMF flow field. The results suggest that optimizing the pore size, increasing the metal foam surface hydrophobicity, and optimizing the operating condition are helpful for the water management of the PMF flow field. The frequency analysis of the pressure drop also shows that the dominant frequency can be used as an indicator to analyze the transition between different flow patterns.