Performance Tests and Pressure Drop Measurements in the Anode Flowfield of a μDMFC

Abstract

Cell performance tests and measurements of the pressure drops in the anode flow channels of a custom‐made microdirect methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) are conducted and studied for different methanol concentrations (0.5–2 M), flow rates (10–20 sccm) and operating temperatures (40–80 °C). The anode flowfields consist of three channel/four pass flow channels with widths of 500–2000 μm and a total length of 300–400 mm. Moreover, flow characteristics of the CO2 gas bubbles and methanol solution in the anode flow channels are identified and analysed for CO2 fraction through visualisation. Finally, an optimal channel size for the present μDMFC is obtained.

Two‐Phase Flow Modeling of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Anode Compartment

“…Similarly, Yang et al [19] declared that the pressure drop had a maximum value and was highly influenced by the current density and methanol feed flowrate but was insensitive to changes in methanol concentration and environmental temperature. Hsieh and Chen [20] also disclosed similar conclusions. Maharudrayya et al [21] investigated the flow distribution and pressure losses in a DMFC anode flow field with parallel serpentine channel configuration, using a combination of CFD simulation and experiments.…”

“… declared that the pressure drop had a maximum value and was highly influenced by the current density and methanol feed flowrate but was insensitive to changes in methanol concentration and environmental temperature. Hsieh and Chen also disclosed similar conclusions. Maharudrayya et al.…”

Development of a four-cell DMFC stack with air-breathing cathode and dendrite flow field

“…Figure (a) shows a schematic of the transparent DMFC and an illustration of the methanol solution passage. A 300‐µm‐thick copper (Cu) metal sheet, sputtered with 2‐nm gold ultra‐thin film acting as a passivation layer to prevent corrosion, was used as the flow field and current collector. Acrylic glass 1 cm thick was used as the transparent material outside the flow field.…”

“…In addition, present simplifications, including air-breathing operation either at the cathode or both electrodes, have received a lot of attention [1][2][3][4]. Much effort has been devoted to the development of the micro-DMFC/stack [4][5][6][7]. However, there are still several issues (e.g.…”

“…Three different types of configurations have been used for the μDMFC stack: bipolar stack, bi‐cell stack and monopolar strip stack. In a micro fuel cell array, single cells are placed side by side so that the cathode of one cell straps across the membrane to the anode of the adjacent cells . This type of configuration, known as the ‘banded membrane’ type, has several advantages compared to the conventional vertical type in lower power applications, such as large volumetric packaging, power density and low‐cost electrode materials .…”