Semiempirical thermodynamic modeling of a direct methanol fuel cell system

Abstract

In this study, a thermodynamic model of an active direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system, which couples in-house experimental data for the DMFC with the mass and energy balances for the system components (condenser, mixing vessel, blower, and pumps), is formed. The modeling equations are solved using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program. This model gives the mass fluxes and thermodynamic properties of fluids for each state, heat and work transfer between the components and their surroundings, and electrical efficiency of the system. The effect of the methanol concentration (between 0.5 and 1.25 M) and air flow rate (between 20 and 30 mL cm(-2) min(-1)) on the net power output and electrical efficiency of the system and the condenser outlet temperature is investigated. The results essentially showed that the highest value for the electrical efficiency of the system is 23.6% when the current density, methanol concentration, and air flow rate are taken as 0.2 A cm(-2), 0.75 M, and 20 mL cm(-2) min(-1), respectively. In addition, the air flow rate was found to be the most significant parameter affecting the condenser outlet temperature.