Mathematical modeling of a direct dimethyl ether fuel cell

Abstract

In this study, a mathematical model of a direct dimethyl ether fuel cell (DDMEFC) is developed to examine the effect of operating conditions on voltage losses and cell performance. In modeling, the electrochemical relations and mass balances are used to find the cell voltage for the given conditions. The values of some modeling parameters are determined using experimental data through curve fitting. For validation purposes, in-house experimental studies are conducted. For this purpose, Pt50Ru25Pd25/C, Pt40Ru40Pd20/C, and Pt50Pd50/C anode catalysts are synthesized by the microwave method. The effects of these synthesized catalysts and the operating conditions (cell temperature, the molar ratio of dimethyl ether, and water) on the DDMEFC performance are discussed by comparing the activation and ohmic polarization as well as the polarization curves using the model developed. This cell-level modeling approach could be considered as a preliminary step in the design process of a DDMEFC stack.