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A Model of a High-Temperature Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Keith Scott, Stephen Pilditch, Professor Mohamed MamloukORCiD

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Abstract

A steady-state, isothermal, one-dimensional model of a direct methanol proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), with a polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane, was developed. The electrode kinetics were represented by the Butler-Volmer equation, mass transport was described by the multicomponent Stefan-Maxwell equations and Darcy's law, and the ionic and electronic resistances described by Ohm's law. The model incorporated the effects of temperature and pressure on the open circuit potential, the exchange current density, and diffusion coefficients, together with the effect of water transport across the membrane on the conductivity of the PBI membrane. The influence of methanol crossover on the cathode polarization is included in the model. The polarization curves predicted by the model were validated against experimental data for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) operating in the temperature range of 125-175 degrees C. There was good agreement between experimental and model data for the effect of temperature and oxygen/air pressure on cell performance. The fuel cell performance was relatively poor, at only 16 mW cm(-2) peak power density using low concentrations of methanol in the vapor phase.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Pilditch S; Scott K; Mamlouk M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology

Year: 2013

Volume: 10

Issue: 5

Print publication date: 01/10/2013

Online publication date: 20/08/2013

Acceptance date: 05/10/2012

ISSN (print): 1550-624X

ISSN (electronic): 1551-6989

Publisher: ASME

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4024833

DOI: 10.1115/1.4024833

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