FUEL CELLS – DIRECT ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells.docVIP

FUEL CELLS - DIRECT ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS | Overview ? ? References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article. T.S. Zhaoa, Z.X. Lianga and J.B. Xua a The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China Available online 23 November 2009. Abstract Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are a type of electrochemical energy conversion device that directly convert the chemical energy stored in a liquid alcohol fuel, commonly methanol but also ethanol, ethylene glycol, or n-propanol, to electricity. Because of their simplicity, high energy density, instantaneous recharging, and presumably long life, DAFCs have been identified as the most promising candidate to replace batteries in micropower applications. This article presents an overview of DAFC technology, including its working principle, features, challenges, and application opportunities. Author Keywords: Direct alcohol fuel cells; Direct ethanol fuel cells; Direct methanol fuel cells Nomenclature Symbols and Units A area of the PEM Ci alcohol concentration at the interface between the anode and the PEM Dm diffusion constant of the alcohol in the PEM Er° reversible cell potential Esp theoretical energy density F Faraday constant Icr equivalent current density of alcohol crossover Mw fuel molecular weight n number of electrons involved z number of electrons transferred xi mole fraction of alcohol in solution δm thickness of the PEM ΔG° Gibbs free energy change for overall reaction η theoretical energy conversion efficiency ξ electroosmotic coefficient Abbreviations and Acronyms FUEL CELLS - DIRECT ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS | Modeling ? ? References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article. T.S. Zhaoa and W.W. Yanga a The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, Peoples Repu