A Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Power Station for Long-Term Internet of Things Applications

Chung-Jen Chou, Shyh-Biau Jiang, Tse-Liang Yeh, Li-Duan Tsai, Ku-Yen Kang and Ching-Jung Liu
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Chung-Jen Chou: Institute of Opto-Mechatronics Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City 32001, Taiwan
Shyh-Biau Jiang: Institute of Opto-Mechatronics Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City 32001, Taiwan
Tse-Liang Yeh: Institute of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City 32001, Taiwan
Li-Duan Tsai: Material and Chemical Research Laboratories (MCL), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), B77, 195, Sec. 4, Chung Hsing Rd. Chutung, Hsingchu City 31057, Taiwan
Ku-Yen Kang: Material and Chemical Research Laboratories (MCL), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), B77, 195, Sec. 4, Chung Hsing Rd. Chutung, Hsingchu City 31057, Taiwan
Ching-Jung Liu: Material and Chemical Research Laboratories (MCL), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), B77, 195, Sec. 4, Chung Hsing Rd. Chutung, Hsingchu City 31057, Taiwan

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: With regard to the best electro-chemical efficiency of an active direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), the stacks and their balance of plant (BOP) are complex to build and operate. The yield of making the large-scale stacks is difficult to improve. Therefore, a portable power station made of multiple simpler planar type stack modules with only appropriate semi-active BOPs was developed. A planar stack and its miniature BOP components are integrated into a semi-active DMFC stack module for easy production, assembly, and operation. An improved energy management system is designed to control multiple DMFC stack modules in parallel to enhance its power-generation capacity and stability so that the portability, environmental tolerance, and long-term durability become comparable to that of the active systems. A prototype of the power station was tested for 3600 h in an actual outdoor environment through winter and summer. Its performance and maintenance events are analyzed to validate its stability and durability. Throughout the test, it maintained the daily average of 3.3 W power generation with peak output driving capability of 12 W suitable for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Keywords: direct methanol fuel cell; multi stacks; portable power; energy management system; Internet of Things; long-term; in-field test (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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