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Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Project.

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Patrick

Mon Feb 06 2017, 06:05AM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

I dont think the Naifion is supposed to see liquid water. thats why it has the hydrophobic carbon coating on the catalyst section itself. i dont know what will seal the edge of the nafion though. will tub and tile silicone stick to teflon and similar plastics ?

Carbon_Rod

Mon Feb 06 2017, 08:24AM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
Location:
Posts: 1155

"I dont think the Naifion is supposed to see liquid water. thats why it has the hydrophobic carbon coating on the catalyst section itself. "
Hard to say given your supplier... The other literature seems to suggest liquid + filtered-air exchange cells typically add unspecified water moisture to the gas feed to improve the gas-exposed plate's conductivity.

"will tub and tile silicone stick to teflon and similar plastics ?"
Most likely no, and that vinegar smell is a rather corrosive acetic acid that is infamous for damaging electronics.
The additives for mildew prevention may also be problematic in some situations.

Your can ask a local Loctite/3M rep about chemically resistant non-corrosive RTV silicones, and if they sell a aeronautics grade epoxy composite that will adhere without damaging the plastics. However, the adhesives may never really permanently bond as the membrane shape may change over time.

...

Mon Feb 06 2017, 08:47AM

Registered Member #56 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:02AM
Location: Southern Califorina, USA
Posts: 2445

You might try reading the manual for the 'diy fuel cell car' kits, (eg

) which has an exploded diagram of the cell and some comments on using it. The kit is not very expensive (

) might be worth it to get one just to get the electrode assemblies.

IIRC the instructions in the kit I had say that the cell can be disassembled, but that it should only be done when it is completely dry otherwise the MEA will wrinkle.

Patrick

Mon Feb 06 2017, 07:04PM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

... wrote ...

You might try reading the manual for the 'diy fuel cell car' kits, (eg

) which has an exploded diagram of the cell and some comments on using it. The kit is not very expensive (

yes they use a thin silicone gasket. i guess thats what i should use.

EDIT: i just bought 0.005" Teflon sheet, so we'll see if that works. If i can 3D print a nylon square on both sides, then squish the gasket i think that will work.

Patrick

Sun Feb 12 2017, 03:48AM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

Ok Ive gotten some results and gained some confidence, so Im launching a $650 for a single cell research effort.

The full page from my website is here:

Carbon_Rod

Sun Feb 12 2017, 05:49AM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
Location:
Posts: 1155

Remember the general public isn't interested in a potential use of technology, and will respond better to conditioned familiar product marketing structures.

You need to consider:
1. 3D print a box that looks like an apple product already (

)
2. Add a single $3 3A 5v USB boost converter on the fewest cells you can (lower your unit cost to just above your fab costs * 5)
3. Film a local army grunt hire.... using it to charge his phone in some dump... to talk to his mom
4. Highlight the shelf life compared to regular batteries, and ship it in a US Pelican case
5. Keep all profits in liquid cash (never use debt, don't be tempted to do everything yourselves)

These guys published a good series on DFM, and can help you grow later:

Good luck,
Rod

Patrick

Sun Feb 12 2017, 08:58AM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

Ty carbon.

Conundrum

Mon Feb 13 2017, 03:39AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

Yeah, also try non reactive materials like Ta, I've used SiC before because despite being a really lousy conductor it is very nonreactive.

Patrick

Mon Feb 20 2017, 03:04AM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

heres some pics :

This is 3 grams of methanol in 100g of DI water. It turned white in an instant.

i wetted it out uniformly.

Eventually I got it up to 0.552 mV on my Fluke series 2 multimeter on the mV setting. Temp stayed at 66 F.
Im trying to remember how to calculate molar solution. its been a while. and after 10 hour shifts mine mind gets blurry going through my old notes.

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