Modeling of a Three-Dimensional Single-Phase Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Bayat ◽  
Nicholas Maus ◽  
Faramarz Gordaninejad
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Phase ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Methanol Fuel Cell

A three-dimensional, full-scale, single-phase finite element model has been developed for a liquid-fed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with serpentine flow patterns. Equations for conservation of mass, momentum, and species are coupled with electrochemical kinetics in anode and cathode catalyst layers (CCLs). At the anode and cathode sides, only the liquid and the gas phases are considered, respectively. The significant benefit of a full-scale model is that the effect of physical parameters and distribution of the concentration of species can be realized in different channels for a desired section within the flow patterns. The model is used to study the effects of different operating parameters on fuel cell performance. Comparing numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the single-phase model slightly over-predicts the results for polarization plot. The modeling results also show that the porosity, temperature, and methanol concentration play a key role in affecting the DMFC polarization curve.

Performance and Modeling of a Liquid-Fed Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiabin Ge ◽  
Hongtan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Electrochemical Kinetics ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Liquid Feed ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Methanol Fuel Cell

Systematic experiments have been conducted to study the effects of various operating parameters on the performance of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The effects of cell operating temperature, anode flow rate, air flow rate, and methanol concentration have been studied. The experimental results showed that the operating parameters have significant effects on the DMFC performances, and some of the effects are complicated and deserve further detailed studies. Selected results are presented in this paper. A three dimensional, single-phase, multi-component model has been developed for liquid-feed DMFC. The traditional continuity, momentum, and species conservation equations are used. At the anode, liquid phase is considered, and at the cathode, only gas phase is considered. In addition to the regular electrochemical kinetics at the anode and cathode, the mixed potential effects due to methanol crossover are also included in the model. The modeling results compared well with our experimental data.

Three-dimensional, two-phase, CFD model for the design of a direct methanol fuel cell

2006 ◽  
Vol 162 (2) ◽  
pp. 992-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeri A. Danilov ◽  
Jongkoo Lim ◽  
Il Moon ◽  
Hyuk Chang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Methanol Fuel Cell

Three-dimensional graphene as gas diffusion layer for micro direct methanol fuel cell

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 1850145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingli Zhu ◽  
Xiaojian Zhang ◽  
Jianyu Li ◽  
Gary Qi
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Methanol Fuel Cell

The gas diffusion layer (GDL), as an important structure of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), provides a support layer for the catalyst and the fuel and the product channel. Traditionally, the material of GDL is generally carbon paper (CP). In this paper, a new material, namely three-dimensional graphene (3DG) is used as GDL for micro DMFC. The experimental results reveal that the performance of the DMFC has been improved significantly by application of 3DG. The peak powers increase from 25 mW to 31.2 mW and 32 mW by using 3DG as the anode and cathode GDL instead of CP, respectively. The reason may be the decrease of charge and mass transfer resistance of the cell. This means that the unique 3D porous architecture of the 3DG can provide lower contact resistance and sufficient fuel diffusion paths. The output performance of the cell will be further improved when porous metal current collectors is used.

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