Flow field performance

Because of the complexity of designs and performance characteristics, it is difficult to select the optimum atomizer for a given appHcation. The best approach is to consult and work with atomizer manufacturers. Their technical staffs are familiar with diverse appHcations and can provide valuable assistance. However, they will usually require the foUowing information properties of the Hquid to be atomized, eg, density, viscosity, and surface tension operating conditions, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature range required mean droplet size and size distribution desired spray pattern spray angle requirement ambient environment flow field velocity requirements dimensional restrictions flow rate tolerance material to be used for atomizer constmction cost and safety considerations. 

Deniz, S., Greitzer, E. and Cumpsty, N., 1998, Effects of Inlet Flow Field Conditions on the Performance of Centrifugal Compressor Diffusers Part 2 Straight-Channel Diffuser, ASME Paper No. 98-GT-474. 

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is the numerical analysis of systems involving transport processes and solution by computer simulation. An early application of CFD (FLUENT) to predict flow within cooling crystallizers was made by Brown and Boysan (1987). Elementary equations that describe the conservation of mass, momentum and energy for fluid flow or heat transfer are solved for a number of sub regions of the flow field (Versteeg and Malalase-kera, 1995). Various commercial concerns provide ready-to-use CFD codes to perform this task and usually offer a choice of solution methods, model equations (for example turbulence models of turbulent flow) and visualization tools, as reviewed by Zauner (1999) below. 

Flow field calculations are conveniently performed in dimensionless variables defined in terms of the orifice parameters ... 

The Giesekus criterion for local flow character, defined as

extensional flow, 0 in simple shear flow and — 1 in solid body rotation [126]. The mapping of J> across the flow domain provides probably the best description of flow field homogeneity current calculations in that direction are being performed in the authors laboratory. 

BalHca and Ryu [158] correlated reductions in cell yield in Datura stramonium suspensions with the increased Reynolds stresses associated with higher aeration rates in a 1.2-1 ALR. A more recent study [159] of C. roseus suspensions cultivated in a 1.5-1 bubble column showed that the increased bubble sizes associated with both larger sparger pores and higher aeration rates caused a reduction in system performance. Here, also, it was postulated that the effects were due to increased Reynolds shear stresses in the flow field. However, it was not possible to rule out gas-stripping effects. 

In view of secondary nucleation in crystallizers, Ten Cate et al. (2004) were interested in finding out locally about the frequencies of particle collisions in a suspension under the action of the turbulence of the liquid. To this end, they performed a DNS of a particle suspension in a periodic box subject to forced turbulent-flow conditions. In their DNS, the flow field around and between the interacting and colliding particles is fully resolved, while the particles are allowed to rotate in response to the surrounding turbulent-flow field. 

Metal foams have been used in the past in the development of FF plates. However, Gamburzev and Appleby [53] used Ni foams as both a DL and a flow field plate with an MPL layer on one of its surfaces. They observed that such a design had high contact resistance between the nickel foam and the MPL and also increased gas diffusion resistance due to the required MPL thickness. Arisetty, Prasad, and Advani [54] were able to demonstrate that these materials can also be used as potential anode diffusion layers in DMFCs (see Figure 4.10). In fact, the nickel foam used in this study performed better than a carbon cloth (Avcarb 1071HCB) and a stainless steel mesh. However, it was recognized that a major drawback for these foams is their susceptibility to corrosion. 

Anfolini et al. [161] also compared SAB and Vulcan XC-72 as possible candidates in MPLs, but in this case they used carbon cloth DLs with two MPLs. From their results, it was concluded that the Vulcan XC-72 gave slightly higher electrocatalytic activity for fhe ORR. On the other hand, MPLs near the FF that used SAB had better performance. Thus, it was suggested that for improved fuel cell performance af high pressures (around 3 atm), the ideal cathode MPL compositions would use the Vulcan XC-72 in the MPL next to the CL and SAB in the MPL next to the flow fields. 

Kowal et al. [235] used this method to compare the liquid water distribution in the fuel cell with CFP and CC as cathode DLs at different operating conditions and with a parallel flow field channel design for both anode and cathode plates. It was observed that the CFP DL experienced more flooding at lower current densities than the CC, and it retained more water near the landing widths than in or under the channels (60 vs. 40%, respectively). In addition to showing better performance and water removal, the CC resulted in more uniform water coverage on the landing widths and in the channels of the FF. 

An optimum relationship between the DL and the flow field channels is a key factor in the overall improvement of fhe fuel cell s performance at both high and low current densities. Currently, flow field designs are typically serpentine, interdigitated, or parallel [207,264]. The FF plate performs several functions If is a current collector, provides mechanical support for the electrodes, provides access channels for the reactants to their respective electrode surfaces and for the removal of producf water, and it prevents mixing of oxidant, fuel, and coolant fluids. 

J. Soler, E. Hontanon, and L. Daza. Electrode permeability and flow-field configuration Influence on the performance of a PEMFC. Journal of Power Sources 118 (2003) 172-178. 

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