Parametric Simulation and Exergy Analysis of a 30w Ethanol Fuel Cell: A Theoretical Approach

  • Emeniru daniel C
  • Ogoro Zino Bright Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Oil and Gas Ekowe, Bayelsa, Nigeria
  • Osazee Ogbeifun E
  • Owutuamor Fredrick T Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Oil and Gas Ekowe, Bayelsa, Nigeria
  • Olawale Adegboyega S., Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Oguche John Enemona
Keywords: Fuel cells, Ethanol, Simulation, Voltage loss

Abstract

Ethanol has the potential of being an abundant biofuel considering the raw materials and indigenous technology available. Due to its oxidation tendency, higher energy density, nontoxic and environmental affability, several studies have confirmed and emphasized ethanol's choice and adaptability for usage in fuel cells. This paper aimed at parametric simulation and exergy analysis of a 30W ethanol fuel cell using a theoretical approach. The simulation considers 1atm and 65oC operating conditions while making empirically significant assumptions about layer thicknesses and other parameters. Fixed and standard parameters from the literature were applied in the mathematical expressions and models that described the energy, power generation, over-potentials, and the efficiencies inherent in the simulation. From the simulation, voltage loss due to transport contributed about 80% of the 0.1211 V while total over-potential culminated to the 3.633W irreversible power. The exergy analysis of the simulated 95% Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC) gave 89% cell efficiency for the generation of 3,050 kJ energy, 33.80 W ideal power, and 30.28W useful power in a 90 seconds operation at a 1.1267V potential.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

PlumX Statistics

References

Abdullah, S., Kamarudin, S., Hasran, U. M., & Daud, W. (2014). Modeling and simulation of a direct ethanol fuel cell: An overview. Journal of Power Sources, 262, 401-406.
2. Abdulrazzak, A., & Abdullah, N. (2021). Performance Analysis of Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell -Gas Turbine Power System. The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES), 9(9), 43-51.
3. Agboola, P. O., & Agboola, M. O. (2011). Nigera's Bio-Ethanol: Need for Capacity Building Strategies to prevent Foo Crises. World Renewable Energy Congress (pp. 258-265). Linkoping, Sweden: Bioenergy Technology.
4. Ajayi, O. O., Rasheed, K., Abiodun, O., & Toyese, O. (2020). Techno-economic Assessment of Transforming Sorghum Bagasse into Bioethanol Fuel in Nigeria: 1-Process Modeling, Simulation, and Cost Estimation. Journal of Engineering Studies and Research, 154-164.
5. Andreadis, G., Podias, A., & Tsiakaras, P. (2008). The effect of the parasitic current on the Direct Ethanol PEM Fuel Cell Operation. Journal of Power Sources, 214–227.
6. Back-Sub, S., & Young-Hoon, Y. (2016). Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC) Assembled with Ceramic Membrane-Catalyst. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering., 5(6), 209-214.
7. Braide, W., Kanu, I., Oranusi, U., & Adeleye, S. (2016). Production of bioethanol from agricultural waste. . Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, 372.
8. Ehlinger, V. M., Andrew, R. C., Ahmet, K., & Adam, Z. W. (2020). Modeling proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell
European Scientific Journal, ESJ ISSN: 1857-7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857-7431
January 2022 edition Vol.18, No.03
www.eujournal.org 137
performance/degradation tradeoffs with chemical scavengers. Journal of Physics and Energy.
9. Elleuch, A. K., Halouani, & Li, Y. (2016). Bio-methanol fueled intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell: A future solution as component in auxiliary power unit for eco-transportation. Material of Desalination, 331-340.
10. Gaggioli, R. A., & Dunbar, W. R. (1993). Emf, Maximum Power and Efficiency of Fuel Cell. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 100-104.
11. Haghighi, M., & Sharifhassan, F. (2016). Exergy analysis and optimization of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell using genetic algorithm. Exergy analysis and optimization of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell using geCase Studies in Thermal Engineering, 207-217.
12. Larminier, J., & Dicks, A. (2003). Fuel Cell System Explained. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
13. Mench, M. M. (2008). Fuel Cell Engines. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
14. Mert, S., Toprak, M., & Depci, T. (2019, September). Exergetic Simulation and Performance Analysis of the Effect of Flow Patterns in PEMFCs. International Journal of Thermodynamics (IJoT), 19(4), 159-166.
15. Modupe, E. O., Akwayo, I. J., Olugbenga, S. T., Oyinlola, M. O., Ayodeji, A. A., Ojawumi, E. O., & Oyeniyi, E. A. (2018). Bio-Conversion of Sweet Potato Peel Waste to Bio-Ethanol Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research, 8(3), 46-54.
16. Oyegoke, T., & Dabai, F. (2018). Techno-economic feasibility study of bioethanol production from a combined cellulose and sugar feedstock in Nigeria: 1-modeling, simulation, and cost evaluation. Nigerian Journal of Technology, 913-920.
17. Oyegoke, T., Dabai, F., Muhammed, J. A., & Jibril, B. E.-Y. (2017). Oyegoke, T., Dabai, F.Process Modelling and Economic Analysis for Cellulosic Bioethanol Production in Nigeria. 1 st National Conference on Chemical Technology . .
18. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). (2021, August 15). Why is Ethanol Important. Retrieved from ethanolrfa.org: http://ethanol.org/ethanol-101/why-is-ethanol-important
19. Saisirirat, P., & Joommanee. (2018). Study on the micro direct ethanol fuel cell (Micro-DEFC) performance. 8th TSME-International Conference on Mechanical Engineering (TSME-ICoME 2017) (pp. 1-35). Saisirirat, Penyarat; Joommanee, Bordindech 8th TSME-
InternationalIOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 297.
20. Song, S., & Tsiakaras, P. (2006). Recent progress in direct ethanol proton exchange membrane fuel cells (DE-PEMFCs). Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 187–193.
21. Zakaria, Z., Kamarudin, S., & Timmiati, S. (2016). Membranes for direct ethanol fuel cells: An overview. Applied Energy, 334-342.
Published
2022-01-31
How to Cite
daniel C, E., Bright, O. Z., Ogbeifun E, O., Fredrick T, O., Adegboyega S., O., & John Enemona, O. (2022). Parametric Simulation and Exergy Analysis of a 30w Ethanol Fuel Cell: A Theoretical Approach. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 18(3), 121. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n3p121
Section
ESJ Natural/Life/Medical Sciences