A semi-empirical model of the direct methanol fuel cell performance:Considering methanol crossover and boundary conditions

Abstract

Empirical model equations, proposed for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, are used to predict the cell voltage vs. current density response of a liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell. The model equations are validated against experimental data for a small-scale fuel cell over a wide range of methanol concentration and temperatures. A new empirical equation considering methanol crossover and boundary conditions is presented which is able to predict the voltage response of liquid feed direct methanol fuel cells over a wide range of operating conditions and even in the case of very low current densities caused by, for example, the use of dilute methanol solutions or low cell temperatures.