Effect of non-uniform parallel channel on performance of passive direct methanol fuel cell

In this paper, the effects of current collector on passive direct methanol fuel cell's (passive DMFC) performance and removing CO2 gas is studied. For this purpose, a single cell with two arrangements of current collector in anode and cathode side is considered. In first arrangement, non-uniform parallel channels with 53.76% open ratio is used in the anode side and a perforated flow field with 34.5% open ratio is applied in the cathode side. In second arrangement, uniform parallel channels with 42.28% open ratio has been used in both anode and cathode sides. At the first arrangement, a maximum power of 20 mW cm−2 in 4 M methanol concentrations and in the second arrangement a maximum power of 17.7 mW cm−2 in 5 M methanol concentrations has been obtained. Furthermore, it is shown that using the current collector with non-uniform parallel channels is more effective in removing CO2 gas than other parallel channels.

► Design and fabricate of two Passive DMFC single cells with different flow fields. ► Using of a non-uniform parallel channel in the anode side for the first time. ► Investigate of both cell's performance in various fuel concentrations. ► Compare the best performance of cells with each other. ► A maximum power density of 20 mW/cm2 was obtained in a 4 M concentration.