MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF LIQUID-FEED DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS

Abstract

The present investigation pertains to a theoretical study of simulation of liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell. Basically it deals with the development of mathematical model for analysis of thermo- and electrochemical properties of the liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell. It also includes the algorithm for the mathematical solution of the model. Further, the comparison of the proposed model has been done with a reference model as suggested by Z. H Wang and C. Y. Wang'. The polarization curves of DMFC obtained through the model has been considered as the basis of comparison. Finally, studies of the effect of different operating variables viz. temperature, pressure and fuel flow rate has been done. Using the basic principle of thermodynamics and electrochemistry a mathematical model of liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell under ideal gas condition has been developed. The underline equations include calculation of component partial pressures, Gibbs free energy, change in enthalpy and EMF. An algorithm has been developed for solution of the model. The model developed is compared and validated against the reference model as proposed by Z. H Wang and C. Y Wang'. An examination of the fuel cell polarization curve obtained by solving the model show that the model has been successful in representing the liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell and has been found to be in agreement with the polarization curve as obtained by the reference model. The maximum deviation between the profiles obtained by this simulation and of Z H Wang and C. Y. Wang' was found to be 10%.