Effect of anode and cathode flow field depths on the performance of liquid feed direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs)

Vijayakumar, R.; Rajkumar, M; Sridhar, P.; Pitchumani, S.

doi:10.1007/s10800-012-0396-2

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…First, a comparison between the obtained results of the polarization curve and the measurements by Vijayakumar et al 40 was conducted, as shown in Figure 4a. First, a comparison between the obtained results of the polarization curve and the measurements by Vijayakumar et al 40 was conducted, as shown in Figure 4a.…”

Section: Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As indicated in the figures, the net power is calculated based on deducting the pumping power from the produced power by multiplying the current and voltage. 40 Comparisons of the maximum output power and pumping power losses for all investigated designs for serpentine and spiral flow fields are shown in i and ii of Figure 12c, respectively. It is clear that decreasing the channel height from 0.8 to 0.2 mm significantly increases the electric power output for all configurations.…”

Section: Overall Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two sets of experimental measurements were used to validate the current model. First, a comparison between the obtained results of the polarization curve and the measurements by Vijayakumar et al 40 was conducted, as shown in Figure 4a. The predicted results were obtained using the same geometrical and physical parameters of the described experiment setup.…”

Section: Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary New serpentine and spiral flow field configurations were developed to enhance the performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The new configurations are based on two primary concepts, namely, narrowing the flow field and partitioning the total active area of the fuel cell. Three flow channel heights of 0.8, 0.4, and 0.2 mm were investigated in serpentine and spiral flow fields. The main active area is considered a single zone and is partitioned into two‐ and four‐zone designs while maintaining the total inlet mass flow rate of the reactant and oxidant. To determine the performance parameters of the newly proposed designs, a three‐dimensional single‐phase isothermal model was developed, numerically simulated, and validated through experimental measurements. The findings of the current study indicate that a serpentine flow field configuration with a channel height of 0.2 mm and two zones attains an enhancement of the net power density of 37% compared to a conventional single‐zone design with a flow channel height of 0.8 mm. Similarly, for a spiral flow field design, the maximum net power density increased by 26% using a two‐zone configuration with a channel height of 0.2 mm, in comparison to the conventional design of a single‐zone and a flow channel height of 0.8 mm. The newly developed designs utilize the lower height of the flow fields to decrease the dimensions of the fuel cell stacks and reduce the material costs required.

show abstract

Section: Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Overall Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Model Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Also, there was more uniform fuel distribution due to higher pressure drop between inlet and outlet. Vijayakumar et al [24] studied the effect of channel depth on cell performance. They reported that a 0.4 mm depth on both anode and cathode exhibits the best cell performance due to low channel volume.…”

Section: Original Research Papermentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental and Numerical Study of Serpentine Flow Fields for Improving Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Performance

Sudaroli

Kolar

2015

Fuel Cells

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Methanol crossover is an important issue as it affects direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance. But it may be controlled by selecting a proper flow field design. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of single, double and triple serpentine flow field configurations on a DMFC with a 25 cm 2 membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with a constant open ratio. A three dimensional model was also developed for the anode of the DMFC to predict methanol concentration and cell current density distributions. Experimental and model results show that at lower methanol concentrations (0.25-0.5M), single serpentine flow field (SSFF) provides high peak power density, while a double serpentine flow field (DSFF) gives high peak power density at a high methanol concentration (1-2M). Single and double serpentine flow fields exhibit the same peak power density (33 mW cm -2 ) at 1M. But the cell efficiency of double serpentine flow field is 12.5% which is 3.5% point greater than single serpentine flow field. This is attributed to reduced mixed potential. triple serpentine flow field (TSFF) shows the lowest peak power density and cell efficiency, which is attributed to high mass transfer resistance.

show abstract

“…Current collector plates in large DMFC stacks are commonly designed and fabricated following the same strategies as for hydrogen fed PEM fuel cells, using graphite as substrate [51,52], although stainless steel anode and cathode current collectors are used in passive stacks [53][54][55]. However, the main interest in the current collector materials and flow fields design is triggered during the last decade due to the increasing interest for the development of micro direct alcohol fuel cells (μDAFC), after Kelley et al fabricated a miniature DMFC [56].…”

Section: Current Collectors and Flow Fieldsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction to Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

Corti

González

2013

Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fuel cells are strongly linked to renewable energies, particularly to the so-called "Hydrogen Economy". For decades the development of fuel cells able to convert hydrogen and oxygen in electrical energy with water as unique byproduct has motivated huge activity in fundamental and applied electrochemistry.In this chapter we introduce the concept of methanol economy and discuss its status and perspectives. To be a reality the methanol and other alcohol economies depend on the development of alcohol feed fuel cells, whose components, operation modes and general performance are analyzed. World Energy Consumption: Current Status and TendenciesThe Stone Age did not end for lack of stone, and the oil age will end long before the world runs out of oil. Sheikh Ahmed Yamani (former Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister)The world energy consumption at the beginning of this decade was 12 billion tonnes of oil equivalent (toe), 1 and 87 % is generated by burning fossil fuels (oil 33.7 %, natural gas 23.6 % and coal 29.7 %) [1], which are non-renewable and increase the CO 2 content of the atmosphere, considered as the major man-made Around a half of the world energy demand corresponds to developed countries that originally signed the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including United States, Canada, Japan and European Community. An important fraction of the other half is consumed by Russia and the fast-developing countries; particularly China and India, being coal, the worst fossil fuel in terms of CO 2 emissions, and the most vastly employed in these highly populated regions.An important fraction, close to 40 % of the fuel resources is used for power generation, while industry and transport demand around 30 % and 20 %, respectively [1,2]. Projections of energy demands for the next decades is a subject that concerns oil-related industries [2-4], governments and energy planners. British Petroleum projections till 2030 [2] are summarized in Fig. 1.1, where the growth in energy demand is basically modulated by the growth of the population and gross domestic product (GDP), mainly due to the contribution of the non-OECD countries. By 2030, 1.3 billion more people will need energy; and the world income is expected to roughly double the 2011 level.The raise of fossil fuel prices to record levels in real terms over the past decade inevitably lead to supply responses, by development and deployment of new technologies across a range of energy sources. Thus, the "shale revolution", first for gas and then for oil, will allow account for almost a fifth of the increase in global energy supply to 2030 [2]. Simultaneously, high prices for fossil fuels will also support the expansion of biomass renewable energy supply, accounting for 17 % of the increase in global energy supply by 2030. Hydro and nuclear together will

show abstract

Effect of anode and cathode flow field depths on the performance of liquid feed direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs)

Cited by 17 publications

References 20 publications

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

Experimental and Numerical Study of Serpentine Flow Fields for Improving Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Performance

Introduction to Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About