The Effect of Interdigitated Channel and Land Dimensions on Flow Cell Performance

Abstract

We demonstrate the effect of varying the channel and land width dimensions of an interdigitated flow field exptl. and through computational modeling. Measured polarization curves (overpotential vs. c.d.) are reported for a sym. cell with a ferrocyanide-ferricyanide electrolyte in aq. KCl. A 2-dimensional, coupled fluid dynamic and electrochem. model is developed to interpret polarization results from the sym. cell. This model suggests that stagnant fluid zones above the center lines of the interdigitated channels neg. impact cell performance. A 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model is used to calc. the pressure drop and power losses assocd. with flowing fluid through these flow fields. The voltage efficiency of the cell, cor. for pumping power losses, is evaluated and reported as a function of channel and land width to identify high-efficiency flow fields. The implications for the engineering of large-area flow fields are discussed. [on SciFinder(R)]