A mathematical model for an isothermal direct ethanol fuel cell

Abstract

In this work we have developed a three-dimensional mathematical model to
analyze a direct ethanol fuel cell. The numerical simulation of reactive flow was done based on the central finite difference method. The equations were integrated in time using the simplified Runge-Kutta multistage scheme. Obtained results are in agreement with experimental data found in the literature for various feed concentrations of ethanol and different cell operation temperatures. In this way, this work contributes with the development of a model for direct ethanol fuel cells taking into account all losses overpotentials at anode and cathode, providing a better understanding of the chemical energy conversion in electricity, and its numerical simulation.