Study of the Gas Flow Distribution and Heat Transfer for Externally Manifolded Fuel Cell Stack Module Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Method

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiwen Ma ◽  
Ramki Venkataraman ◽  
Mohammad Farooque
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Manifold System

Uniform gas flow distribution in a fuel cell system is desired to attain maximum power operation potential. Two types of manifold systems are often used in fuel cell stacks; they are internal manifold system and external manifold system. This paper presents the modeling approach using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method in analyzing fluid flow and heat transfer for the external manifold fuel cell stacks and stack module design. Computational models based on a Megawatt carbonate fuel cell stack module have been developed for investigating the fuel and oxidant flow distributions through the external manifold systems. This paper presents the modeling approaches and flow and temperature distribution results for externally manifolded fuel cell stack and stack module.

Particle Image Velocimetry and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Fuel Cell Manifold

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesper Lebæk ◽  
Marcin Blazniak Andreasen ◽  
Henrik Assenholm Andresen ◽  
Mads Bang ◽  
Søren Knudsen Kær
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Particle Image Velocimetry ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Particle Image ◽  
High Current Density ◽  
Plug Flow ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

The inlet effect on the manifold flow in a fuel cell stack was investigated by means of numerical methods (computational fluid dynamics) and experimental methods (particle image velocimetry). At a simulated high current density situation the flow field was mapped on a 70 cell simulated cathode manifold. Three different inlet configurations were tested: plug flow, circular inlet, and a diffuser inlet. A very distinct jet was formed in the manifold, when using the circular inlet configuration, which was confirmed both experimentally and numerically. This jet was found to be an asymmetric confined jet, known as the symmetry-breaking bifurcation phenomenon, and it is believed to cause a significant maldistribution of the stack flow distribution. The investigated diffuser design proved to generate a much smoother transition from the pipe flow to the manifold flow with a subsequent better flow distribution. A method was found in the literature to probe if there is a risk of jet asymmetry; it is however recommended by the author to implement a diffuser design, as this will generate better stack flow distribution and less head loss. Generally, the numerical and experimental results were found in to be good agreement, however, a detailed investigation revealed some difference in the results.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation of a High Temperature Waste Heat Exchanger Tube Sheet Assembly

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Porter ◽  
Dennis H. Martens ◽  
Thomas Duffy ◽  
Sean McGuffie
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Thermal Reactor ◽  
Process Gas

Many modern Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) process waste heat recovery exchangers operate in high temperature environments. These exchangers are associated with the thermal reactor system where the tubesheet/tube/ferrule assemblies are exposed to gasses at temperatures approaching 3000°F. Because sulfur compounds are present in the process gas, the carbon steel tubesheet and tubes in the assembly will be deteriorated by sulfidation as the operating metal temperature rises above 600°F. Ferrule systems are used to protect the carbon steel from exposure to excessive temperatures. The temperature distribution in the steel tubesheet/tube/ferrule system is affected by process gas flow and heat transfer through the assembly. Rather than depend upon “assumed” heat transfer coefficients and fluid flow distribution, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigation was conducted to study the flow fields and heat transfer in the tubesheet assembly. It was found that the configuration of the ferrule installation has a large influence on the temperature distribution in the steel materials and, therefore, the possible sulfidation of the carbon steel parts.

scholarly journals Computational Fluid Dynamics calculation of a planar solid oxide fuel cell design running on syngas

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-521
Author(s):  
Paulina Pianko-Oprych ◽  
Tomasz Zinko ◽  
Zdzisław Jaworski
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Dynamics Calculation ◽  
Shift Reaction

Abstract The present study deals with modelling and validation of a planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) design fuelled by gas mixture of partially pre-reformed methane. A 3D model was developed using the ANSYS Fluent Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool that was supported by an additional Fuel Cell Tools module. The governing equations for momentum, heat, gas species, ion and electron transport were implemented and coupled to kinetics describing the electrochemical and reforming reactions. In the model, the Water Gas Shift reaction in a porous anode layer was included. Electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide fuels were both considered. The developed model enabled to predict the distributions of temperature, current density and gas flow in the fuel cell.

Modeling of High Temperature Gas Flow 3D Distribution in BF Throat Based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Qi An ◽  
◽  
Kai Peng ◽  
Wei Hua Cao ◽  
Min Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd

This paper aims at building a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model which can describe the gas flow three dimensions (3D) distribution in blast furnace (BF) throat. Firstly, the boundary conditions are obtained by rebuilding central gas flow shape in BF based on computer graphics. Secondly, the CFD model is built based on turbulent model by analyzing the features of gas flow. Finally, a method which can get the numerical solutions of the model is proposed by using CFD software ANSYS/FLUENT. The proposed model can reflect the changes of the gas flow distribution, and can help to guide the operation of furnace burdening and to ensure the BF stable and smooth production.

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