MODELING AND SIMULATION OF ALKALINE ETHANOL-AIR FUEL CELL STACK

Abstract

- Ethanol-air fuel cell is a new technology for energy-conversion which provide high efficiency with pollution –free operation. The performance of alkaline ethanol-air fuel cell stacks was simulated using simple model based on thermodynamics, kinetics and mass transfer considerations. The mathematical model is tested by experimental data used in a previously published paper. - In mathematical model, the increase in concentration of electrolyte with constant concentration of the fuel, the cell performance increases initially then decrease. This result is close to the experimental data. In mathematical model, the increase in concentration of fuel with constant concentration of the electrolyte, the cell performance slightly changes because of the consumption of fuel with increase in current density isn't taken into consideration .The result in experimental paper, the maximum power density =50mW/cm2 at current density at 17 mA/cm2 but The result in mathematical model, the maximum power density =46.5mW/cm2 at current density at 20 mA/cm2