Parametric investigation and optimization of passive direct ethanol alkaline fuel cells

This paper focused on the parametric investigation and optimization of passive direct ethanol alkaline fuel cells (DEAFCs). A mathematical model was developed to simulate cell performance behaviour with variations in the ethanol feed concentration, the alkaline feed concentration and the operating temperature. In addition, the crossover ethanol behaviour was examined for different operating temperatures and ethanol feed concentrations. The mathematical model was solved in Matlab Environment. The simulation results showed that the ethanol and alkaline feed concentration ratio was the key parameter affecting the cell performance. Although higher alkaline addition yielded better performance, it was not favourable for prolonged applications due to practical limitations, such as corrosion, electrode destruction and catalyst decomposition. The ethanol crossover effect was greatly affected by the operating temperature and the ethanol concentration. Higher operating temperatures and ethanol concentrations significantly increased the crossover rate and reduced the cell performance. Thus, with all of the limitations and constraints, the suggested conditions for adequate performance of passive DEAFCs systems are 4 M ethanol and 4 M OH- at T = 30 degrees C. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.