Multi-phase, multi-component modeling of micro-pores and porous structures

Multiphase, multi-component numerical modeling is used to examine the heat transfer and flow phenomena with a single pore, as well as within a porous structure. A new liquid/vapor interface tracking technique is developed to examine the thermo-capillary effect of a volatile liquid evaporating from a micro-pore. The interface tracking technique was proven to successfully eliminate artificial currents that exist when surface tension effects are prevalent, as is the case with other interface tracking techniques; therefore, the thermo-capillarity caused by the evaporation along the interface can be accurately simulated. The multi-phase modeling of porous structures is focused on passive direct methanol fuel cell operation. The model captures mass transfer rates due to phase change, chemical reactions as well as species diffusion. The model also presents a novel solution approach to dealing with the continuous/discontinuous phase limitations within a porous zone.