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A novel method of methanol concentration control through feedback of the amplitudes of output voltage fluctuations for direct methanol fuel cells

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  • An, Myung-Gi
  • Mehmood, Asad
  • Hwang, Jinyeon
  • Ha, Heung Yong

Abstract

This study proposes a novel method for controlling the methanol concentration without using methanol sensors for DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) systems that have a recycling methanol-feed loop. This method utilizes the amplitudes of output voltage fluctuations of DMFC as a feedback parameter to control the methanol concentration. The relationship between the methanol concentrations and the amplitudes of output voltage fluctuations is correlated under various operating conditions and, based on the experimental correlations, an algorithm to control the methanol concentration with no sensor is established. Feasibility tests of the algorithm have been conducted under various operating conditions including varying ambient temperature with a 200 W-class DMFC system. It is demonstrated that the sensor-less controller is able to control the methanol-feed concentration precisely and to run the DMFC systems more energy-efficiently as compared with other control systems.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:100:y:2016:i:c:p:217-226
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.01.065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Prapainainar, Paweena & Du, Zehui & Theampetch, Apichaya & Prapainainar, Chaiwat & Kongkachuichay, Paisan & Holmes, Stuart M., 2020. "Properties and DMFC performance of nafion/mordenite composite membrane fabricated by solution-casting method with different solvent ratio," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    2. Rivera-Lugo, Yazmín Y. & Salazar-Gastélum, Moisés I. & López-Rosas, Deisly M. & Reynoso-Soto, Edgar A. & Pérez-Sicairos, Sergio & Velraj, Samgopiraj & Flores-Hernández, José R. & Félix-Navarro, Rosa M, 2018. "Effect of template, reaction time and platinum concentration in the synthesis of PtCu/CNT catalyst for PEMFC applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 561-570.
    3. Yu, Bor-Chern & Wang, Yi-Chun & Lu, Hsin-Chun & Lin, Hsiu-Li & Shih, Chao-Ming & Kumar, S. Rajesh & Lue, Shingjiang Jessie, 2017. "Hydroxide-ion selective electrolytes based on a polybenzimidazole/graphene oxide composite membrane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 802-812.
    4. Fang, Shuo & Zhang, Yufeng & Ma, Zezhong & Sang, Shengtian & Liu, Xiaowei, 2016. "Systemic modeling and analysis of DMFC stack for behavior prediction in system-level application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1015-1023.
    5. Chen, Fengxiang & Chi, Xuncheng & Wei, Wei & Mo, Tiande & Li, Yu, 2023. "Model-based observer for direct methanol fuel cell concentration estimation by using second-order sliding-mode algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).

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