Research Projects

Battery is playing a vital role in powering low power and portable applications such as mobile phones, power tools and laptop. Batteries are not suitable for long time operation and high energy density. Hence fuel cell with methanol as fuel is the suitable energy conversion device to generate electricity. Methanol is available at low cost and does not require any fuel processing. Methanol crossover and sluggish kinetics are the challenging issues for commercialisation of fuel cell. In this work, DMFC stack for 1 kW will be designed and fabricated. The characteristics of the stack will be studied at different operating conditions. Fuel and oxidant distribution, thermal management and methanol crossover are the major hurdles which reduces the fuel cell performance. In order to have better understanding and experience on characteristics of fuel cell stack, small stack (20 W) will be developed. Based on the characteristics of small stack, 1 kW stack will be developed. Auxiliary Power consumption units (APU) such as pump to supply fuel, temperature controller, methanol and water indicator will be designed. APU will be assembled/fabricated with stack. Methanol Flow distribution, methanol crossover, water crossover and temperature distribution in stack will be evaluated. The stack will be used to power stand by unit or household applications.