Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach for Performance Prediction in a Zinc–Air Fuel Cell

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for simulating the physical and chemical processes in a zinc (Zn)–air fuel cell. Theoretically, the model was based on time-dependent, three-dimensional conservation equations of mass, momentum, and species concentration. The complex electrochemical reactions occurring within the porous electrodes were described by the Butler–Volmer equation with velocity, pressure, current density, and electronic and ionic phase potentials computed in electrodes. The Zn–air fuel cell for the present study comprised of four major components, such as a porous Zn anode electrode, air cathode electrode, liquid potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte, and air flow channels. The numerical results were first compared with the experiments, showing close agreement with the predicted and experimental values of the measured voltage–current data of a single Zn–air fuel cell. Numerical results also exhibited mass fraction contours of oxygen (O2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in the mid-cross-sectional plane. A parametric study was extended to assess the performance of a Zn–air fuel cell at various cathode and electrolyte parameters.