Patent ID: 8182955
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a direct methanol fuel cell comprising a fuel cell main body comprising a fuel electrode and an air electrode disposed in opposing positions on either side of an electrolyte film, in which an aqueous methanol solution is supplied directly to the fuel electrode, the method comprising: determining a supply quantity of the aqueous methanol solution to be supplied to the fuel electrode; and operating the fuel cell to supply the determined supply quantity of the aqueous methanol solution to the fuel electrode and allowing the direct methanol fuel cell to operate; wherein in determining the supply quantity of the aqueous methanol solution to be supplied to the fuel electrode, in accordance with a voltage versus current characteristic curve showing a relation between the electric current value drawn by the load from the fuel cell main body and an output voltage value from the fuel cell main body, and depending on a supply quantity of the aqueous methanol solution, the supply quantity of the aqueous methanol solution is determined such that a predetermined electric current value is drawn by a load from the fuel cell main body, and a quantity of unused methanol in a discharge fluid that is discharged from the fuel electrode is minimized, the voltage versus current characteristic curve including when operating the fuel cell, the predetermined electric current value is drawn from the fuel cell main body without changing the supply quantity flow rate of the aqueous methanol solution.