Numerical investigation of the effects of fuel cell parameters on performance in direct methanol fuel cells

With the decline of fossil fuels, the need for renewable energy sources is increasing. Fuel cells have been a promising technology among energy sources. Compared to other fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cell stands out due to the fuel used in the fuel cell is liquid. In this study, three-dimensional, multicomponent, single-phase, isothermal, and single cell of direct methanol fuel cell has been developed. This model is developed using the COMSOL Multiphysics program, a finite element analysis solver and simulation software. The developed mathematical model was compared by the parameters used in experimental studies in the literature and confirmed that there is good agreement with experimental data. Then the simulation program was solved for three different values of the selected parameters. For the parameters used, polarization curves, power density curves are formed. From the channel inlet to outlet changes in the mass fraction of methanol, water, carbon dioxide and oxygen have been shown. In conclusion of the study, it has been revealed that direct methanol fuel cell can be optimized by evaluating its effects on the performance of the fuel cell when operated under different operating conditions and design parameters.