Stamping and photochemical machining have been two of the common methods for manufacturing flow channels used in reformers, reactors, heat exchangers, and fuel-cell stacks. The flow channels are then bonded to form the finish products. These methods are severely constrainted by plate area and thickness, material type, and environmental concerns. Furthermore, they are too costly to meet the U. S. DoE’s targeted goal - untaxed price of $2.00-3.00/gge (gasoline gallon equivalent). Abrasive-waterjets were applied for machining various flow-channel patterns such as high-espect-ratio slots/ribs on several metals and non-metals were conducted to demonstrate its merits over other machine tools.
Revised: August 6, 2012 |
Published: November 28, 2008
Citation
Liu H.T., Y. Hovanski, D.D. Caldwell, and R.E. Williford. 2008.Low-cost manufacturing of flow channels with multi-nozzle abrasive-waterjets: a feasibility investigation. In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Water Jetting, October 15-17, 2008, Nottingham, United Kingdom, 337-351. Bedfordshire:BHR Group Limited.PNNL-SA-60301.