Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME Seminar Series: On Modeling and Simulation of Alkaline Fuel Cell

 

 

 

Department of Mechanical Engineering Seminar Series
11:00 AM– 12:00 PM
October 9, 2007
1227 Hoover Hall

On Modeling and Simulation of Alkaline Fuel Cell

Lea-Der Chen
Professor, Chair, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering,
University of Iowa

Abstract

A CFD model is developed for calculation of the cell voltage and shunt current in an alkaline fuel cell (AFC). The results were obtained by using a commercial CFD software, in conjunction with the user defined functions that calculate the source terms of the transport equations. Calculations show that the CFD model can account for the electrolyte transport inside the AFC and can provide additional insight into the transport process. For example, the oxygen dissolving rate is found to be the rate limiting step when the fuel cell is operated in the transport dominated regime. The CFD model also captured the presence of shunt current that is found to exist in the separator entrance and exit regions. The presence of the local shunt current is to satisfy the potential equation in a region where the primary current is lacking and where a large electrical potential gradient is present. The sensitivity of operating conditions on the performance of fuel cell was also examined. An experimental test for a 30W alkaline fuel cell stack was performed to examine the effects of different electrolytes and electrolyte concentration.

Biography

L.-D. Chen, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering earned his PhD degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 1981. Dr. Chen was appointed the NADS Interim Director and Director in 1999-2005.  He is also the Site Director of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Virtual Proving Ground Simulation at The University of Iowa (2002-present).  Dr. Chen’s research interest includes experimentation and simulation of combustion and propulsion systems, fuel cells, alternative fuels, airbags, and person-in-the-loop simulation.  His research has been funded by various government and industrial sources. Chen’s NASA project was selected as one of the investigations that were on-board of the US NASA Mission STS-87/USMP-4 in November/December 1997.  Dr. Chen teaches and develops new courses in the mechanical engineering curriculum, including fuel cells and combustion and propulsion courses. Chen has co-authored or authored more than 150 technical publications, and is active in professional societies at the national ad international levels and serves in various technical committees.

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