Title: Modelling and simulation of passive feed direct methanol fuel cell

Authors: Naveen K. Shrivastava; Rajkumar B. Chadge; Sanjeev L. Bankar

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Wanadongri, Nagpur – 441110, Maharashtra, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Wanadongri, Nagpur – 441110, Maharashtra, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Wanadongri, Nagpur – 441110, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: In this study, a mathematical model of the passive direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been developed. This model considers the methanol and oxygen mass transport phenomena along with the electrochemical reactions. The model is validated with the experimental data. The model is used to predict the effect of methanol concentration on cell performance, variation of methanol crossover (MCO) with current density and methanol feed concentration, methanol and oxygen concentration profiles across the cell and the overpotentials. It was found that the MCO can be reduced by running the cell with low methanol concentration and at high current densities. Anode overpotential, compared to cathode overpotential, is found to be more responsible for the limiting current density. The outcome of the research will be useful for improving understanding of the transport phenomena in the passive DMFC and to optimise the cell design.

Keywords: passive DFMCs; direct methanol fuel cells; mathematical modelling; mass transfer; simulation; electrochemical reactions; methanol concentration; current density; anode overpotential; fuel cell design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2017.080610

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2017 Vol.13 No.1/2, pp.4 - 18

Received: 14 Mar 2015
Accepted: 26 Jun 2015
Published online: 01 Dec 2016 *

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