The Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Single Cell Numerical Simulation

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an electrochemical energy-conversion device which directly uses methanol as fuel. DMFC has the advantages of simple in system, high energy density, and convenient fuel storage and transportation. It is an ideal portable power source in the future. It is of particular importance to research and develop DMFC since the energy crisis and environment pollutions is becoming more and more seriously.Because the experimental study of DMFC is very expensive and time-consuming, the numerical simulation has become an important tool for investigating the effects of the structure parameters and operation conditions of fuel cells on their performance.A model for a single DMFC is developed by taking account of the heat, mass, and electric transport processes in the DMFC. The developed model can be used to investigate the fluid flow, heat transfer, species transport and electrochemical reactions in the DMFC. The studied domain consists of flow channels, diffusion layers and catalyst layers of both the anode and cathode, and the membrane.The effect of cathode structural parameters of the DMFC on the electrode performance is investigated using the developed model. The simulation results are represented by the curve of cathode over-potential versus current density. A model is developed for the anode of a DMFC by considering the mass transport in the whole anode compartment and the proton exchange membrane (PEM) with the kinetic and ohmic resistance effects through the catalyst layer. The influences of the key parameters on methanol crossover and anode performance are investigated. A model for a single DMFC is proposed based on the developed cathode and anode models with consideration of effect of the methanol crossover on the cathode. The influence of key parameters on cell performance is investigated by the curve of cell voltage versus current density. The single DMFC model is used to...