Factors affecting the design of direct methanol fuel cell systems

摘要

Direct methanol fuel cell based power systems are being developed as alternate power sources for portable applications under the sponsorship of DARPA. The paper describes the impact that various processes occurring in the direct methanol fuel cell have on the thermal management, water management, and the overall steady state operation of the power system. Parametric data on electrical performance, fuel crossover, and water transport from operating direct methanol fuel cell stacks has been used todevelop a closed-loop system model. This model has been exercised to define overall system design, and to predict the operating strategies that will result in high efficiency, consistent water balance and low system mass. Results of this analysis arediscussed.