Gas dynamics in channels of a gas-feed direct methanol fuel cell: exact solutions

The gas dynamics in channels on both sides of a gas-feed direct methanol fuel cell (DFMC) are considered. The basic equations for the flow velocity and density are derived, taking into account the mass and momentum transfer through the channel/backing layer interface. For the practical case of small inlet velocities the analog of the Bernoulli equation is formulated and the exact solution of nonlinear gas dynamics equations is obtained. It is shown that the flow in both the cathode and anode channels is incompressible (its density is constant) and electrochemical reactions affect only the flow velocity v. Simple formulae for v, as a function of local current density and effective water drag coefficient are derived. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.