Numerical analysis of fluid flow and concentration distribution of channels with porous layer on the base

viNUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF FLUID FLOW AND CONCENTRATIONDISTRIBUTION OF CHANNELS WITH POROUS LAYER ON THE BASE(M.Sc.Thesis)Levent DEM RHANGAZI UNIVERSITYINSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYJanuary 2007ABSTRACTIn this study, fluid flow and concentration distribution in a parallel-platechannel with a porous layer on the base was numerically analyzed. As itis structurally similar to the flow in the cathode section of the PEM(Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cell, information has been givenboth on fuel cell system and the porous materials. Continuity,momentum and concentration equations were discritized by the controlvolume method and solved using a computer program developed usingSIMPLE algorithm. Flows in parallel-plate channel and in a channelwhose bottom wall is porous were solved by the software developed inthis study. Comparing the results of numerical simulations and theresult of analytical solution and results from literature, themathematical model and program developed were tested. Simulationswere made for different values of porosity, Reynolds number andthickness of porous layer. Using the results of these simulations, theeffects of these parameters on flow and concentration were analyzed. Itwas observed that when the porosity of porous layer is increased, thevelocity and concentration consumption in this layer also increases.Reducing Reynolds number resulted in increase of dimensionlessvelocity in this layer and decrease of concentration. As the thickness ofviithe porous layer increases, the dimensionless velocity gradient andconcentration decreased. Furthermore, when the porosity of porouslayer is increased, the fraction coefficient decreases.Science Code : 914.1.002Key Words : Porous medium, concentration distribution,computational fluid dynamicsPage Number : 99Adviser : Prof. Dr. Ha?met TÜRKOALU