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Characteristics of a direct methanol fuel cell system with the time shared fuel supplying approach

Author

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  • Na, Youngseung
  • Kwon, Jungmin
  • Kim, Hyun
  • Cho, Hyejung
  • Song, Inseob

Abstract

DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) systems usually employ two pumps for supplying the methanol solution. The conventional system configuration, however, may bring about free flow from the methanol reservoir and malfunctions in the self-priming of the pumps. When instruments such as check valves and pressure regulators are applied, they result in excessive weight and control system malfunctions. In this paper, a light and robust DMFC system is proposed. By using the time sharing approach to supply fuel with a 3-way valve, free flow does not occur because only one inlet is opened at one time which means that both the circulation flow from gas liquid separator and the fuel flow from the methanol cartridge are not allowed to be opened at same time. As a result, back flow and self-priming problems do not occur. This makes the system stable and robust due to the removal of both the check valves and the fluctuation from unstable back pressure. Stabilized system doesn't need excessive battery buffering and recycling water any more, which are responsible for the heavy system. The proposed system performs the same level of power and efficiency with the conventional system. Adaptability is also carried out in various environmental temperature conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Na, Youngseung & Kwon, Jungmin & Kim, Hyun & Cho, Hyejung & Song, Inseob, 2013. "Characteristics of a direct methanol fuel cell system with the time shared fuel supplying approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 406-411.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:50:y:2013:i:c:p:406-411
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.11.050
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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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    Cited by:

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    2. Yuan, Zhenyu & Zhang, Manna & Zuo, Kaiyuan & Ren, Yongqiang, 2018. "The effect of gravity on inner transport and cell performance in passive micro direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 28-37.
    3. Lee, Seul-Yi & Kim, Byung-Ju & Park, Soo-Jin, 2014. "Influence of H2O2 treatment on electrochemical activity of mesoporous carbon-supported Pt–Ru catalysts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 70-76.
    4. Xue, Rui & Zhang, Yufeng & Liu, Xiaowei, 2017. "A novel cathode gas diffusion layer for water management of passive μ-DMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 535-541.
    5. Yuan, Zhenyu & Yang, Jie & Zhang, Yufeng & Wang, Shikai & Xu, Tingnian, 2015. "Mass transport optimization in the anode diffusion layer of a micro direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 599-605.
    6. An, Myung-Gi & Mehmood, Asad & Hwang, Jinyeon & Ha, Heung Yong, 2016. "A novel method of methanol concentration control through feedback of the amplitudes of output voltage fluctuations for direct methanol fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 217-226.
    7. Yuan, Zhenyu & Yang, Jie & Ye, Ning & Li, Zipeng & Sun, Yuge & Shen, Hongyuan, 2015. "Analysis of the capillary-force-based μDMFC (micro direct methanol fuel cell) supplied with pure methanol," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 858-863.
    8. Yuan, Zhenyu & Yang, Jie & Li, Xiaoyang & Wang, Shikai, 2016. "The micro-scale analysis of the micro direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 10-17.
    9. Yuan, Zhenyu & Yang, Jie & Li, Zipeng & Sun, Yuge & Ye, Ning & Shen, Hongyuan, 2015. "Analysis of CO2 transmission in a micro direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 496-502.
    10. Yuan, Zhenyu & Yang, Jie & Zhang, Yufeng & Zhang, Xiwei, 2015. "The optimization of air-breathing micro direct methanol fuel cell using response surface method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 340-349.

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