Numerical Investigation of Dynamic Behavior of Water with Different Initial Forms in Wave Channel
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 1
Abstract
As a recently developed flow field for the bipolar plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the wave flow channel has demonstrated several advantages in enhancing the gas supply within the channel. However, its unique shape poses challenges in effective drainage, as liquid water is prone to impinge on the side wall. In this study, to analyze water transmission performance of the wave channel, based on a coupled level set and volume of fluid method, a 3D two-phase water transport model of the wave channel was established, and the flow characteristics data of liquid water in the wave channel under different working conditions were calculated. The dynamic behavior of liquid water in the wave channel with initial forms of the liquid drop, liquid film, and liquid column were investigated, respectively. The results indicated that different initial forms of liquid water move through a wave channel all in the form of a membrane flow. When the initial form of liquid water resembles a liquid column, it exhibits the highest velocity of movement within a wave channel compared with the initial forms of liquid droplets and liquid film, assuming an equivalent volume. Further, the speed of liquid water movement increased with the volume of liquid water and the inlet gas velocity. Additionally, the contact angle of a gas diffusion layer surface exerts a substantial influence on water volume and slightly influences the move speed of liquid water.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request (Figs. 1–20).
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. SJCX21_1712) and the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutral Technology Innovation Fund Project of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BE2022001-4).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 1 • February 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 9, 2023
Accepted: Nov 5, 2023
Published online: Nov 29, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Apr 29, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Channel flow
- Channels (waterway)
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Energy engineering
- Energy sources (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Field tests
- Flow (fluid dynamics)
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic structures
- Hydrologic engineering
- Membranes
- Numerical analysis
- Pressure (type)
- Renewable energy
- Solid mechanics
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Tests (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Water pressure
- Water waves
- Waterways
- Waves (fluid mechanics)
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