A consise two-phase flow model for direct methanol fuel cell performance modelling

Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is recognized as a promising next generation power source for portable electronic devices for its high energy density. The work in DMFC system modelling is important to provide performance prediction and leads to design optimization. So far there are mainly two approaches in DMFC modelling work, namely to derive through full CFD (computable fluidic dynamics) and to go through electrochemical reactions involving mass and electrons flux transport The latter has the advantage of reduced computational complexity, however without considering the physics of two-phase flow caused by anode methanol oxidation. Whereas, such effect is modeled in CFD techniques for accurate performance analysis. In this paper, we proposed one concise model which includes both two-phase flow physics and mass/electron flux transport in the DMFC performance analysis. The model is validated by comparing with polarization measurement of DMFC. The model prediction of cell performance has a good agreement with the experiment data. The model also gives the analysis of methanol crossover influence on cell performance. © 2005 IEEE.