Experimental and One-Dimensional Mathematical Modeling of Different Operating Parameters in Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells

Shingjiang Jessie Lue, Nai-Yuan Liu, Selvaraj Rajesh Kumar, Kevin Chi-Yang Tseng, Bo-Yan Wang and Chieh-Hsin Leung
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Shingjiang Jessie Lue: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Green Technology Research Center, Chang Gung University, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
Nai-Yuan Liu: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Green Technology Research Center, Chang Gung University, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
Selvaraj Rajesh Kumar: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Green Technology Research Center, Chang Gung University, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
Kevin Chi-Yang Tseng: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Green Technology Research Center, Chang Gung University, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
Bo-Yan Wang: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Green Technology Research Center, Chang Gung University, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan
Chieh-Hsin Leung: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Green Technology Research Center, Chang Gung University, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to develop a one-dimensional mathematical model for predicting the cell performance of a direct formic acid fuel cell and compare this with experimental results. The predicted model can be applied to direct formic acid fuel cells operated with different formic acid concentrations, temperatures, and with various electrolytes. Tafel kinetics at the electrodes, thermodynamic equations for formic acid solutions, and the mass-transport parameters of the reactants are used to predict the effective diffusion coefficients of the reactants (oxygen and formic acid) in the porous gas diffusion layers and the associated limiting current densities to ensure the accuracy of the model. This model allows us to estimate fuel cell polarization curves for a wide range of operating conditions. Furthermore, the model is validated with experimental results from operating at 1–5 M of formic acid feed at 30–80 °C, and with Nafion-117 and silane-crosslinked sulfonated poly(styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) (sSEBS) membrane electrolytes reinforced in porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The cell potential and power densities of experimental outcomes in direct formic acid fuel cells can be adequately predicted using the developed model.

Keywords: direct formic acid fuel cell; one-dimensional mathematical model; porous electrodes; cell potential; power density (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: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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