A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that does not require an external water feed or a powered water-recovery system has potential for wide application in portable electronic devices. This paper provides experimental data for the water recovery rate in a novel DMFC design featuring a hydrophobic cathode gas-diffusion layer that allows for passive water recovery. Water and methanol crossover rates were experimentally characterized by measuring the water vapor and carbon dioxide concentration at the cathode exit with an infrared sensor. The result showed that the mass-transport parameter of water vapor, increases linearly with increasing cell temperature and remains invariant with respect to the cell current density. Water neutrality of the DMFC stack was achieved while the cell operated close to 50 °C and 150 mA/cm2 with a 1M methanol solution. A comprehensive empirical equation based on the experimental results is presented, along with system-level insights into the controllability of water management in designing an open cathode DMFC system.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability
August 7–10, 2011
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5469-3
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Water Crossover Experiments in an Open-Cathode Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Available to Purchase
C. C. Kuo,
C. C. Kuo
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Search for other works by this author on:
L. M. Neal,
L. M. Neal
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Search for other works by this author on:
O. D. Crisalle,
O. D. Crisalle
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Search for other works by this author on:
W. E. Lear,
W. E. Lear
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Search for other works by this author on:
J. H. Fletcher
J. H. Fletcher
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Search for other works by this author on:
C. C. Kuo
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
L. M. Neal
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
O. D. Crisalle
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
W. E. Lear
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
J. H. Fletcher
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Paper No:
FuelCell2011-54674, pp. 745-755; 11 pages
Published Online:
March 22, 2012
Citation
Kuo, CC, Neal, LM, Crisalle, OD, Lear, WE, & Fletcher, JH. "Water Crossover Experiments in an Open-Cathode Direct Methanol Fuel Cell." Proceedings of the ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Washington, DC, USA. August 7–10, 2011. pp. 745-755. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2011-54674
Download citation file:
8
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
A Model of a High-Temperature Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (October,2013)
The Effect of Cell Temperature and Channel Geometry on the Performance of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (December,2011)
Understanding Carbon Dioxide Transfer in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Using a Pore-Scale Model
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (February,2022)
Related Chapters
Cubic Lattice Structured Multi Agent Based PSO Approach for Optimal Power Flows with Security Constraints
International Conference on Software Technology and Engineering, 3rd (ICSTE 2011)
Energy Balance for a Swimming Pool
Electromagnetic Waves and Heat Transfer: Sensitivites to Governing Variables in Everyday Life
Study on a Combination System of Heat Pumps with Hot & Cold Water Recovery
Inaugural US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference-Renewable Energy 2009 (UECTC 2009 Proceedings)