Abstract
Pressure distributions of a swirling flow generated between two parallel disk shape plates were measured for two kinds of inlet flow conditions. The experiment was performed at low Reynolds numbers (Re <100) to simulate the practical operation in a disk shape planar-type solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). When a swirling flow was fed into the disk channel, the static pressure reduced in whole regions of the channel. However, a positive pressure gradient normal to the current collector surface was observed regardless of the inlet flow condition. A swirling fluid motion was examined by using an equation of motion, and then we confirmed that pressure gradient normal to the current collector surface was produced to maintain the swirling flow in the disk channel.
