Investigation of self-adaptive thermal control design in passive direct methanol fuel cell

A novel anode thermal optimization approach is presented and developed in this paper, based on the detailed investigations of operating temperature on the performance of passive micro direct methanol fuel cell (mu DMFC). First, a two-dimensional model of two-phase cell is established to observe methanol solution transport and pressure distribution under different operating temperatures. Moreover, passive stainless steel-based mu DMFC preparation and fabrication use micro laser-cut technology, and the influences of cell temperature on corresponding cell performances are under experimental investigation. Eventually, according to the consequences of simulation and experimental analysis, a practical anode self-adaptive thermal control strategy equips with the self-made silicone heating sheet is designed, and the stable work of mu DMFC at the optimal temperature is realized through this method. Compared with the conventional fuel cell, the optimized fuel cell system can significantly improve the net output power density and efficiency (Power density increased from 20.8 mWcm(-2) to 52.16mWcm(-2)).