Parametric studies of the Direct Alcohol Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell

Higher temperature alcohol fuel cells have been shown to have higher activity and increased performance output when compared to lower temperature alcohol fuel cells. In this work, the Direct Alcohol Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (DAPAFC) with Pt Black as catalyst and Phosphoric Acid/Silicon Cabride (SiC) as an electrolyte/separator is investigated. Parametric studies are conducted to demonstrate the effects of such parameters as the stream pressures, higher temperature operation (120-180 degrees C), and the thickness of the SiC separator, etc. Results show that the cell performance is comparable to that of a vapour fed fuel cell with Nafion (R) membrane at the same operating conditions. However the DAPAFC has the ability to go to a higher temperature range because its conductivity is independent of water content. This type of fuel cell demonstrates stability with performance degradation less than 7 mV/hr and performance improvement in a higher temperature range when compared to the conventional PEMFC.