EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL

摘要

In this investigation, two 50cm~2 direct methanol fuel cells were utilized to obtain detailed performance, flow visualization, and water distribution data. A fractional factorial matrix approach was used to determine the effect of temperature, cathode pressure, stoichiometry, anode flow field configuration, and molarity. Temperature was found to be the dominating factor within the range of conditions tested. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to examine the water distribution in the cathode as a function of location along the flow path. For low flow rate conditions, cathode flooding was observed. Video microscopy was used to analyze detailed two-phase anode CO_2 bubble behavior, and revealed mechanisms of CO_2 bubble removal from the carbon cloth backing layer. The detailed data and understanding from this investigation should benefit modeling and scale-up efforts in this area.