IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v50y2013icp406-411.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036054421200919X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2012.11.050?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Ismail, A. & Kamarudin, S.K. & Daud, W.R.W. & Masdar, S. & Hasran, U.A., 2018. "Development of 2D multiphase non-isothermal mass transfer model for DMFC system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 263-276.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    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. Yuan, Zhenyu & Zhang, Yufeng & Fu, Wenting & Li, Zipeng & Liu, Xiaowei, 2013. "Investigation of a small-volume direct methanol fuel cell stack for portable applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 462-467.
    3. Kim, Joon-Hee & Yang, Min-Jee & Park, Jun-Young, 2014. "Improvement on performance and efficiency of direct methanol fuel cells using hydrocarbon-based membrane electrode assembly," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 95-102.
    4. Mehmood, Asad & Ha, Heung Yong, 2014. "Performance restoration of direct methanol fuel cells in long-term operation using a hydrogen evolution method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 164-171.
    5. Tafaoli-Masoule, M. & Bahrami, A. & Elsayed, E.M., 2014. "Optimum design parameters and operating condition for maximum power of a direct methanol fuel cell using analytical model and genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 643-652.
    6. Yuan, Wei & Tang, Yong & Wang, Qinghui & Wan, Zhenping, 2011. "Dominance evaluation of structural factors in a passive air-breathing direct methanol fuel cell based on orthogonal array analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1671-1680, May.
    7. Kumar, Piyush & Dutta, Kingshuk & Das, Suparna & Kundu, Patit Paban, 2014. "Membrane prepared by incorporation of crosslinked sulfonated polystyrene in the blend of PVdF-co-HFP/Nafion: A preliminary evaluation for application in DMFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 66-74.
    8. Dutta, Kingshuk & Das, Suparna & Kumar, Piyush & Kundu, Patit Paban, 2014. "Polymer electrolyte membrane with high selectivity ratio for direct methanol fuel cells: A preliminary study based on blends of partially sulfonated polymers polyaniline and PVdF-co-HFP," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 183-191.
    9. Yang, Qinwen & Xiao, Gang & Li, Lexi & Che, Mengjie & Hu, Xu-Qu & Meng, Min, 2021. "Collaborative design of multi-type parameters for design and operational stage matching in fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1101-1110.
    10. Wang, Luwen & He, Mingyan & Hu, Yue & Zhang, Yufeng & Liu, Xiaowei & Wang, Gaofeng, 2015. "A “4-cell” modular passive DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) stack for portable applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 229-235.
    11. 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.
    12. Durán, E. & Andújar, J.M. & Segura, F. & Barragán, A.J., 2011. "A high-flexibility DC load for fuel cell and solar arrays power sources based on DC-DC converters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1690-1702, May.
    13. Zainoodin, A.M. & Kamarudin, S.K. & Masdar, M.S. & Daud, W.R.W. & Mohamad, A.B. & Sahari, J., 2014. "High power direct methanol fuel cell with a porous carbon nanofiber anode layer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 946-954.
    14. Jiang, Jinghui & Li, Yinshi & Liang, Jiarong & Yang, Weiwei & Li, Xianglin, 2019. "Modeling of high-efficient direct methanol fuel cells with order-structured catalyst layer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    15. Das, Suparna & Kumar, Piyush & Dutta, Kingshuk & Kundu, Patit Paban, 2014. "Partial sulfonation of PVdF-co-HFP: A preliminary study and characterization for application in direct methanol fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 169-177.
    16. Sudaroli, B. Mullai & Kolar, Ajit Kumar, 2016. "An experimental study on the effect of membrane thickness and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) loading on methanol crossover in direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 204-214.
    17. Zainoodin, A.M. & Kamarudin, S.K. & Masdar, M.S. & Daud, W.R.W. & Mohamad, A.B. & Sahari, J., 2014. "Investigation of MEA degradation in a passive direct methanol fuel cell under different modes of operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 364-372.
    18. 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.
    19. An, Myung-Gi & Mehmood, Asad & Ha, Heung Yong, 2014. "A sensor-less methanol concentration control system based on feedback from the stack temperature," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 257-266.
    20. Ismail, M.S. & Ingham, D.B. & Hughes, K.J. & Ma, L. & Pourkashanian, M., 2013. "Thermal modelling of the cathode in air-breathing PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 529-537.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:50:y:2013:i:c:p:406-411. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.