Image-based pore-scale modelling of the effect of wettability on breakthrough capillary pressure in gas diffusion layers
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Published version
Author(s)
Li, Min
Foroughi, Sajjad
Zhao, Jiafei
Bijeljic, Branko
Blunt, Martin J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Wettability design is of crucial importance for the optimization of multiphase flow behaviour in gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in fuel cells. The accumulation of electrochemically-generated water in the GDLs will impact fuel cell performance. Hence, it is necessary to understand multiphase displacement to design optimal pore structures and wettability to allow the rapid flow of gases and water in GDLs over a wide saturation range. This work uses high-resolution in situ three-dimensional X-ray imaging combined with a pore network model to investigate the breakthrough capillary pressure and water saturation in GDLs manufactured with different mass fractions of polytetrafluoroethylene coating: 5, 20, 40, and 60%, making them more hydrophobic. We first demonstrate that the pore network extraction method provides representative networks for the fibrous porous media examined. Then, using a pore-network flow model we simulate water invasion into initially gas-filled fibrous media, and analyze the effect of wettability on breakthrough capillary pressure and water saturation. With an appropriate pore-scale characterization of wettability, a pore network model can match experimental results and predict displacement behaviour.
Date Issued
2023-11-15
Date Acceptance
2023-08-19
Citation
Journal of Power Sources, 2023, 584
ISSN
0378-7753
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Power Sources
Volume
584
Copyright Statement
© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233539
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
233539
Date Publish Online
2023-09-14