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Passive vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell using sintered porous metals to realize high-concentration operation

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  • Yuan, Wei
  • Zhang, Zhaochun
  • Hu, Jinyi
  • Zhou, Bo
  • Tang, Yong

Abstract

The use of methanol vapor is helpful to reduce the effect of methanol crossover in a direct methanol fuel cell. This study develops a passive vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell (VF-DMFC) based on a pervaporation membrane and sintered porous metals which act as functional layers for effective control of the mass transfer process. The feasibility of using this method is experimentally validated. For the cathode, a sintered porous metal-fiber plate (SPMFP) with great hydrophobicity is used as a water management layer to enhance water back diffusion from the cathode to the anode. Results indicate that the use of a SPMFP promotes a higher cell performance especially when a higher methanol concentration is used. The highest peak power density of 19.3mW/cm2 is achieved at an ambient temperature when 12M methanol is supplied. Neat-methanol operation is also viable under this condition. The cathode current collector (CC) with a window-like pattern yields a higher cell performance than the parallel-channel. For the anode, the use of a hydrophilic sintered porous metal-powder plate (SPMPP) embedded in the anode CC reduces the cell performance due to limitation of methanol delivery. This work also reports the influences of methanol concentration and vapor chamber temperature.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan, Wei & Zhang, Zhaochun & Hu, Jinyi & Zhou, Bo & Tang, Yong, 2014. "Passive vapor-feed direct methanol fuel cell using sintered porous metals to realize high-concentration operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 143-149.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:136:y:2014:i:c:p:143-149
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.045
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuan, Wei & Tang, Yong & Yang, Xiaojun & Wan, Zhenping, 2012. "Porous metal materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 309-329.
    2. Wu, Q.X. & Zhao, T.S. & Chen, R. & An, L., 2013. "A sandwich structured membrane for direct methanol fuel cells operating with neat methanol," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 301-306.
    3. Seo, Sang Hern & Lee, Chang Sik, 2010. "A study on the overall efficiency of direct methanol fuel cell by methanol crossover current," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(8), pages 2597-2604, August.
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    1. Liu, Guicheng & Li, Xinyang & Wang, Hui & Liu, Xiuying & Chen, Ming & Woo, Jae Young & Kim, Ji Young & Wang, Xindong & Lee, Joong Kee, 2017. "Design of 3-electrode system for in situ monitoring direct methanol fuel cells during long-time running test at high temperature," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 163-168.
    2. Wang, Aoyu & Yuan, Wei & Huang, Shimin & Tang, Yong & Chen, Yu, 2017. "Structural effects of expanded metal mesh used as a flow field for a passive direct methanol fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 184-194.
    3. Calabriso, Andrea & Borello, Domenico & Romano, Giovanni Paolo & Cedola, Luca & Del Zotto, Luca & Santori, Simone Giovanni, 2017. "Bubbly flow mapping in the anode channel of a direct methanol fuel cell via PIV investigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1245-1255.
    4. Yuan, Wei & Yan, Zhiguo & Tan, Zhenhao & Wang, Aoyu & Li, Zongtao & Tang, Yong, 2016. "Anode optimization based on gradient porous control medium for passive liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 71-79.
    5. Li, Yang & Zhang, Xuelin & Yuan, Weijian & Zhang, Yufeng & Liu, Xiaowei, 2018. "A novel CO2 gas removal design for a micro passive direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 599-607.
    6. Yan, X.H. & Zhao, T.S. & An, L. & Zhao, G. & Zeng, L., 2015. "A crack-free and super-hydrophobic cathode micro-porous layer for direct methanol fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 331-336.
    7. Johánek, Viktor & Ostroverkh, Anna & Fiala, Roman, 2019. "Vapor-feed low temperature direct methanol fuel cell with Pt and PtRu electrodes: Chemistry insight," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 409-415.
    8. Zhang, Yufeng & Xue, Rui & Zhang, Xuelin & Song, Jiaying & Liu, Xiaowei, 2015. "rGO deposited in stainless steel fiber felt as mass transfer barrier layer for μ-DMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1081-1086.
    9. Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali & Allagui, Anis & Sayed, Enas Taha & El Haj Assad, M. & Said, Zafar & Elsaid, Khaled, 2019. "Comparative analysis of liquid versus vapor-feed passive direct methanol fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 563-584.
    10. Yuan, Wei & Wang, Aoyu & Yan, Zhiguo & Tan, Zhenhao & Tang, Yong & Xia, Hongrong, 2016. "Visualization of two-phase flow and temperature characteristics of an active liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell with diverse flow fields," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 85-98.
    11. Sun, Zuo-Yu & Li, Guo-Xiu, 2015. "On reliability and flexibility of sustainable energy application route for vehicles in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 830-846.

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