Simulation of direct hydrocarbon fuel cells having high temperature membranes, interdigitated flow fields, and multi-functional catalysts

具有高温膜、叉指流场和多功能催化剂的直接碳氢燃料电池的模拟

• 批准号: 194569-2010
• 负责人: Ternan, Marten
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=476711
• 关键词: Simulation; direct; hydrocarbon; fuel; cells

Although our research has made some improvements in the performance of direct hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, DH-PEMFCs, there is much more to be done. DH-PEMFCs have advantages in energy efficiency (that diminishes carbon dioxide emissions) and in cost (both initial cost and operating cost) when compared to more conventional hydrogen fuel cells. In DH-PEMFCs the hydrocarbon fuel reacts electrochemical without prior conversion to other compounds such as hydrogen. We have made some progress. We have reported (i) a 30% decrease in the anode overpotential and (ii) a fuel cell operating procedure that maintains proton conductivity in the electrolyte when the temperature is heated to 200°C. Our project uses both computations (this application for NSERC Discovery Grant funds) and experiments (Ontario government funds). Rate constants for different fuel cell catalysts are being calculated using density functional theory. Then the rate constants are used in a model of the fuel cell reactor that is being constructed using computational fluid dynamics. Changes to the geometry and materials of several components are being investigated: catalysts (nickel and silver replace platinum), electrolyte (zirconium phosphate replaces Nafion), flow field geometry (interdigitated replaces serpentine), and flow field materials (316 stainless steel replaces graphite). Each of these changes will diminish the initial cost of the fuel cell. If certain specifications for performance, cost, and durability could be achieved, then DH-PEMFCs could replace the existing technologies. The ultimate effect of implementing DH-PEMFC technology would be that less fossil fuel would be used to generate a given amount of electrical power, and the lifetime of fossil fuel reserves would be extended.

尽管我们的研究在直接烃类聚合物电解质膜燃料电池（DH-PEMFC）的性能方面取得了一些改进，但还有很多工作要做。 与更传统的氢燃料电池相比，DH-PEMFC 在能源效率（减少二氧化碳排放）和成本（初始成本和运营成本）方面具有优势。 在 DH-PEMFC 中，碳氢化合物燃料发生电化学反应，而无需事先转化为其他化合物（例如氢气）。 我们已经取得了一些进展。 我们报告了 (i) 阳极过电势降低了 30%，以及 (ii) 当温度加热至 200°C 时，燃料电池操作程序可保持电解质中的质子传导性。 我们的项目使用计算（本申请为 NSERC 发现补助金基金）和实验（安大略省政府基金）。 使用密度泛函理论计算不同燃料电池催化剂的速率常数。 然后，将速率常数用于使用计算流体动力学构建的燃料电池反应器模型中。 正在研究几个部件的几何形状和材料的变化：催化剂（镍和银取代铂）、电解质（磷酸锆取代 Nafion）、流场几何形状（叉指状取代蛇纹石）和流场材料（316 不锈钢取代石墨）。 这些变化中的每一个都会降低燃料电池的初始成本。 如果能够达到某些性能、成本和耐用性规范，那么 DH-PEMFC 就可以取代现有技术。 实施DH-PEMFC技术的最终效果是，在产生一定量的电力时将使用更少的化石燃料，并且化石燃料储备的寿命将得到延长。