Interest in the advancement of energy storage methods have risen as energy production trends toward renewable energy sources. Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) are one of the emerging energy storage techniques being developed with the purpose of effectively storing renewable energy. There are currently a limited number of papers published addressing the design considerations of the VRFB, the limitations of each component and what has been/is being done to address said limitations. This review briefly discusses the current need and state of renewable energy production, the fundamental principles behind the VRFB, how it works and the technology restraints. The working principles of each component are highlighted and what design aspects/cues are to be considered when building a VRFB. The limiting determinants of some components are investigated along with the past/current research to address these limitations. Finally, critical research areas are highlighted along with future development recommendations.

Vanadium redox flow batteries: A comprehensive review

Theory and practice of flow field designs for fuel cell scaling-up: A critical review

Pressure drop and flow distribution in parallel-channel configurations of fuel cells: U-type arrangement

Cfd study on flow distribution uniformity in fuel distributors having multiple structural bifurcations of flow channels

This paper explores the potential and challenges of using nanofluids in cooling systems for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) in automotive applications. PEMFCs have clearly emerged as a promising alternative to existing conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs) in vehicles, mainly due to their relatively high electrical energy conversion efficiency (around 55% based on the high heating value of hydrogen), and zero emissions in operation. Despite their relatively low heat generation and low operating temperature (~65 °C), PEMFCs require a relatively large radiator in their cooling systems, which is unfavourable in automotive applications. Nanofluids have attracted great interest as coolants due to their superior heat transfer properties. This paper thus reviews the using of nanoparticles with a suitable base fluid as a coolant in PEMFCs. It is found that a nanofluid coolant in a PEMFC can reduce the size of the radiator needed to dissipate its thermal load (by up to 10% relative to standard heat transfer fluids), eliminate the need for a deionizing filter, and lower the freezing point of the base fluid.

K.B. Shyam Prasad

Papers

Effect of channel-to-channel cross-flow on local flooding in serpentine flow-fields

A hydrodynamic network model for interdigitated flow fields

Flow maldistribution in interdigitated channels used in PEM fuel cells