Project : NANO-COATED METAL FOR BIPOLAR PLATES OF PEFC: MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF MULTI-SCALE EVOLUTION EQUATION



Overview to the project
The polymer-electrolyte-fuel-cell systems (PEFC) are constructed with the use of metallic bipolar plates. The corrosion of the metallic plates are a main problem in the fuel-cell system, therefore it is important to have a corrosion-resistant coating. In this project, we simulate the coating process of the metallic bipolar plates. The model equations are multi-scale evolution equations, e.g. convection-diffusion reaction equations, to simulate the coating process, see [Geiser 2003]. Because of the different scales, we deal with stiff partial differential equations and decomposition methods are important to solve the problem, see [Farago/Geiser 2005], [Geiser 2007]. The application of scale-decoupling algorithm are needed. A further question is based on the application of the correct model, because of very low pressure, the Boltzmann-equations are necessary to model the situation. Here the comparison between Boltzmann and Navier-Stokes, here we want to see the applicability of such continuum model. Simulation of scenarios are done with different geometries, that are used for the bipolar plates. Such parameter studies allow to have results for the physical experiments.

Project Meetings with the other contributers :

Lectures at the meetings with the recent results to the project :

Lecture at the first project meeting, 16 October 2007, ZBT, Duisburg, [lecture_status1.pdf].

Lecture at the second project meeting, 8 December 2007, FEM, Schwaebisch Gmuend, [lecture_status2.pdf].

Lecture at the third project meeting, 10 March 2008, Humboldt Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, [lecture_status3.pdf].

Lecture at the 4th project meeting, 16 June 2008, Graebener Group, Netphen-Werthenbach, [lecture_status0608.pdf].

Lecture at the 5th project meeting, 6 January 2009, Humboldt University of Berlin, [lecture_status0109.pdf].

Lecture at the 6th project meeting, 19 June 2009, University of Duisburg, [lecture_status0609.pdf].

Lecture at the 7th project meeting, 1 October 2009, Humboldt University of Berlin, [lecture_results1009.pdf].

Lecture at the 8th project meeting, 1 February 2010, Graebener, Nephten, [lecture_results02_2010.pdf].

Lecture at the 9th project meeting, 7 June 2010, DOC, Dortmund, [lecture_results06_2010.pdf].
Lecture at the 10th project meeting, 22 September 2010, FEM, Schwaebisch Gmuend, [lecture_results09_2010.pdf].

Lecture at the 11th project meeting, 6 December 2010, ZBT, Duisburg, [lecture_results12_2010_final.pdf].

Minisymposiums with the other contributers :

Lectures at the minisymposium with the special topics :
MAX-Phase Materials: Lecture at the second project meeting, 8 December 2007, FEM, Schwaebisch Gmuend, [lecture_max_phase.pdf].


Minisymposiums at the Humboldt Universitaet zu Berlin, 9 March 2008 :

Topic : Modelling and Simulation of Deposition prosesses,
Dr. Juergen Geiser, HU Berlin: Modelling and Control of Deposition Processes [lecture_1.pdf].
Prof. Dr. Brinkmann, Universitaet Bochum: Plasma-Reactor: Modelling and Experiments [lecture_brink.ppt].
Meraa Arab, HU Berlin: Simulation of CVD-Processes with UG Software [lecture_arab.pdf].


Posters :

J. Geiser, P. Beckhaus. Es fliesst etwas, das ist sehr klein-Simulation der Nanobeschichtung metallischer Bipolarplatten, MIID 2008, 26.-28.10.08, Landschaftspark, Duisburg, Germany. [poster09.pdf]

J. Geiser, S. Blankenburg. Selfconsistent Electrostatic-Particle-In-Cell Monte Carlo Simulations of Weak Argon Plasma, Statusmeeting, 23 September, FEM, Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany. [posterpic.pdf]

J. Geiser, S. Blankenburg. Monte Carlo Simulation concerning DC-Sputtering of Ti-C, Statusmeeting, 6 December 2010, ZBT, Duisburg, Germany. [posterpic3.pdf]



Simulation of the Coating Process
Objectives of the study :
The objective of the post-doctoral or doctoral position are threefold. First the understanding of the model problem and the usage of the academic program-tools are important. Then, some first applications are performed with the underlying software-codes. Here, the candidate have to implement the underlying geometry and parameters of the model. Finally the implementation of decoupling methods are done to see the benefit of such scale dependent algorithm and real-life simulations should be done.

Applications
The study of the underlying chemical structure, see [Seneka/Brinkmann 2006], with complex chemistry is important and these structures should be simulated. Based on the advection and diffusion process of the gas with the coated material, the structure of the material surface has to be studied. For first test examples the equations are implemented via MATLAB and the results are compared with physical experiments. In a next step, the applications can be implemented in academic program-tools, e.g. UG, ADINA, DUME, etc. . With such codes, real-life simulations in 2d and 3d are possible. Error estimates and decomposition methods can be implemented to accelerate the computational time.

Numerical results for the Growth-Process


We motivate our studying on simulating a low-temperature low-pressure plasma that can be found in CVD (chemical vapor deposition) processes. In the last years, due to the research in producing high temperature films by depositing of low pressurs processes have increased. We present such a model for low temperature and low pressure plasma, that can be used to implant or deposite thin layers of important materials. The applications are used in the production so called metallic bipolar plates. The model of our apparatus is based on 2 ideas. First the plasma can be treated as a continuous flow model, while we haev a vaccum and a diffusion dominated process. Second the plasma as a heavy particles problem with underlying drift. This model deals more with the atomic behaviour and we do not allow $p = 0$.
  • Stagnant-Layer :
    In this model, the contribution is given with a horizontal source and we are intersted on the vertical growth rate. Photo
  • Point wise layer
    In this model, the contibution is given with vertical multiple sources and we are intersted on a relative homogeneous layer at the wafer surface. Photo

Optimization of the Growth Process


We are motivated to optime the layer growth of deposited material. Based on the studing of the MAX-Phase material, we propose in our simulation that $C$ carbon, which is dominating the deposition process, see [Barsoum1996]. The control of such a deposition process can be used for the application and the production of our metallic bipolar plates. The model of our apparatus is based on 2 ideas. First the plasma can be treated as a continuous flow model, while we haev a vaccum and a diffusion dominated process. Second the plasma as a heavy particles problem with underlying drift. This model deals more with the atomic behaviour and we do not allow $p = 0$. In several projects, we optimize the underlying layer growth with respect to the sources of the deposition material. We concentrate on one source to deposit on the target and simulate the carbon source. Our contribution is to get a homogeneous layer at the target.
  • Project 1 :
    We propose to optimize the source of the deposition material with respect to a time dependent source that moves up and down in the y-direction. So we obtain a deposition in the length of the target layer. In the following figures we present the results of the deposition process.
    Photo
    In the following figures we present the deposition rate of the moving sources. Photo

Software Codes used in the project:


  • Code for the Microscopic simulations (Monte Carlo simulations: particle tracking):

    In this model, we apply a particle tracking model for the heavy particles (Ions and molecules).
    We programmed a C++ Code based on a hard-sphere and Coulomb model.
    The programm-code is given for free and the applicant should ask:
    Dr. Juergen Geiser : geiser@mathematik.hu-berlin.de to get the code.

  • Code for the Microscopic simulations (Monte Carlo simulations: particle tracking):

    In this model, for the multiple species transport in the apparatus a convection-diffusion-reaction equation is applied.
    The software code is UG and we applied a application libary.
    The application library is given for free and the applicant should ask:
    Dr. Juergen Geiser : geiser@mathematik.hu-berlin.de to get the code.



For all further questions to the project and the applications please feel free to ask:

Dr. Juergen Geiser : geiser@mathematik.hu-berlin.de