In this project the performance of multiple variations of a Passive Direct Methanol Fuel Cell were tested. The experiments ranged from using different Membrane Electrode Arrays, to changing the material or shape of the current collectors. In addition to hardware variations, the main focus of this paper is experimenting with MeOH gel as a fuel compared to liquid methanol feed. The results show promise for the MeOH gel. A mathematical model designed to produce theoretically the performance of a methanol fuel cell was adapted for the passive DMFC. There were many tests conducted on the cell both before and after the finalized stack design was completed. These tests were conducted to determine the best performance based on the configuration of the available hardware for the fuel cell stack.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rivera, Casey Jonathan
• Lugo, Diego

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-030812-112912

Advisor

• Datta, Ravindra

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-03-08

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright