Title :
In Situ Visual Investigation of CO2 Bubbles Clogging Phenomena in μDMFC Anode Micro Flow Field
Author :
Liang, Junsheng ; Liu, Chong ; Chen, Li ; Wang, Liding
Author_Institution :
Key Lab. for Micro/Nano Technol., Dalian Univ. of Technol.
Abstract :
The CO2 bubbles clogging in anode flow field is a vital problem in development of liquid feed micro direct methanol fuel cells (μDMFC). In order to study the CO2 bubbles clogging behavior, an air-breathing transparent μDMFC with 180 μm wide serpentine channels in anode was fabricated. In situ visual investigation of the bubbles behavior in anode flow field was implemented on the microfluidics test station. The μDMFC was evaluated under different operating conditions by changing the fuel temperature, concentration and feeding rate. Gradient distribution of the bubbles in micro flow field had been observed, measured and quantitatively analyzed. Results show that the clogging behavior of the bubbles is mainly affected by the current density and feeding rate of the fuel in μDMFC. Meanwhile, the influences of fuel concentration and fuel temperature on bubbles clogging mainly take effect via their impacts on the μDMFC current density
Keywords :
bubbles; carbon compounds; direct methanol fuel cells; flow visualisation; microchannel flow; μDMFC anode microflow field; 180 micron; CO2; bubbles; clogging phenomena; fuel current density; fuel feeding rate; liquid feed microdirect methanol fuel cells; microfluidics test station; Anodes; Current density; Fuel cells; Laboratories; Methanol; Microfluidics; Micromechanical devices; Systems engineering and theory; Temperature; Testing; μDMFC; CO2 bubble; clogging; flow field;
Conference_Titel :
Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems, 2006. NEMS '06. 1st IEEE International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Zhuhai
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0139-9
Electronic_ISBN :
1-4244-0140-2
DOI :
10.1109/NEMS.2006.334751
