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Investigation of the Limiting Processes of a DMFC by Mathematical Modeling
Author(s) -
Siebke A.,
Schnurnberger W.,
Meier F.,
Eigenberger G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.200320210
Subject(s) - cathode , limiting current , anode , limiting , mechanics , current (fluid) , materials science , range (aeronautics) , electrochemistry , electrode , voltage , cell voltage , current density , operating temperature , nuclear engineering , thermodynamics , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , electrical engineering , composite material , mechanical engineering , physics , chromatography , engineering , quantum mechanics
Since measured current‐voltage curves do not allow conclusions concerning the limiting processes in a direct methanol fuel cell, a detailed mathematical model was developed to quantify the influence of individual physical and electrochemical effects on overall cell performance. Results of numerical simulations given here show good agreement with experimental current‐voltage curves for various operating conditions. According to simulation results, the limiting electrode depends strongly on operating conditions: when the temperature is increased or the cathode gas is switched from oxygen to air, the limitation in current density is shifted from anode to cathode. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that there is only a small range of operating conditions between drying out and flooding of the cathode.