Proof of Concept for the Dual Membrane Cell: II. Mathematical Modeling of Charge Transport and Reaction in the Dual Membrane

• Published in: Journal of the Electrochemical Society 2013-01, Vol.160 (4), p.F367-F374
• Main Authors: Ou, T., Delloro, F., Bessler, W. G., Thorel, A. S., Nicolella, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Engineering Sciences; Materials
• ISSN: 0013-4651; 1945-7111
• DOI: 10.1149/2.041304jes

In the dual membrane fuel cell (DM-Cell), protons formed at the anode and oxygen ions formed at the cathode migrate through their respective dense electrolytes to react and form water in a porous composite layer called dual membrane (DM). The DM-Cell concept was experimentally proven (as detailed in Part I of this paper). To describe the electrochemical processes occurring in this novel fuel cell, a mathematical model has been developed which focuses on the DM as the characteristic feature of the DM-Cell. In the model, the porous composite DM is treated as a continuum medium characterized by effective macro-homogeneous properties. To simulate the polarization behavior of the DM-Cell, the potential distribution in the DM is related to the flux of protons and oxygen ions in the conducting phases by introducing kinetic and transport equations into charge balances. Since water pressure may affect the overall formation rate, water mass balances across the DM and transport equations are also considered. The satisfactory comparison with available experimental results suggests that the model provides sound indications on the effects of key design parameters and operating conditions on cell behavior and performance.