Advantages of DMFC over other fuel cells
In terms of the amount of electricity generated, a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) can currently generate 300-500 milliwatts per centimeter squared. The area of the cell size and the number of cells stacked together will provide the necessary power generation for whatever the watt and kilowatt needs are for vehicular and stationary applications.
The liquid fuel design of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells has numerous system-level advantages over the gas fuel or reformer design fuel cells. A Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC):
- Eliminates the fuel vaporizer or "reformer"
- Eliminates high pressures and temperatures. DMFC operate effectively at room temperature and pressures under 20 psi.
- Eliminates the complex water and thermal management systems that are needed to maintain the equilibrium of temperature and pressures in the reformer type fuel cells.
This in turn,
- Eliminates the need for inner heating and cooling plates.
- Eliminates the humidification process of reformer technology without which membranes dry up and crack. The liquid state of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells provides a constant bath for the membranes.
- Significantly lowers system size and weight, due in large part to the elimination of the reformer, a costly, complex space hog.
- DMFCs use bi-plates that can be made out of non-metallic lightweight, flexible materials that are significantly lower in cost than metallic materials.