Numerical simulation of vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell

doi:10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2017.02.019

Abstract

Abstract: A two-dimensional, two-phase, and non-isothermal model is developed for a vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) based on alkaline anion exchange membrane system by using the multi-fluid approach. The model will lead to better understanding of the mass-transfer and electrochemical phenomenon in the cell. In the model, the vapor generated from the liquid methanol in the tank goes through a composite material made of Nafion membrane and hydrophobic porous layer into the cell. In the study, the vapor transport layer (VTL) and micro porous layer (MPL) are taken into account, and two symmetrical exits in the VTL are set for the CO₂ removal. With this model, effects of the CO₂ exit length and the hydrophobic MPL on performance and inner water distribution of DMFC are investigated.

Key words: CO₂ exit, alkaline anion exchange membrane, passive, hydrophobicity

CLC Number:

XIE Xu, DENG Hao, JIAO Kui. Numerical simulation of vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell[J]. , 2017, 34(2): 244-250.

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