Work

Unveiling thermal dynamics: Integrated experimental and simulation insights into large-scale parallel pulsating heat pipe

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The pulsating heat pipe (PHP) is an efficient passive heat transfer device that offers an effective solution for thermal management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, conventional single-side channel PHPs face significant challenges in PEMFC thermal management, including integration limitations, high start-up temperatures, and insufficient working fluid oscillation intensity. This study proposes an optimized configuration for PEMFC thermal management based on its structural characteristics: a large-scale parallel pulsating heat pipe (P-PHP) with bilaterally symmetric channels. The aim is to improve the thermal performance of PEMFCs. Results show that, in the x-axis orientation, the P-PHP exhibits remarkable adaptability to low heat input, achieving a rapid start-up time of just 205 s, while maintaining a temperature control threshold as low as 51.08 °C. The P-PHP also excels in fluid oscillation under low heat input conditions, making it well-suited for heat-sensitive scenarios. Furthermore, it demonstrates excellent heat transfer performance, with a 40 % decrease in thermal resistance in the x-axis orientation compared to other orientations. These results offer valuable insights and new solutions for optimizing PEMFC thermal management, thereby contributing to the advancement of fuel cell technology commercialization.

Source: Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

Authors: Shilong Fan, Zhiming Xu, Wei Li, Fumin Shang, Hongliang Chang

Institutions: Northeast Electric Power University, Nanjing Tech University, Changchun Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Heat Transfer and Boiling Studies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,620

Funders: Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Tech University, Northeast Electric Power University