Simulation‐Based Design and Evaluation of an Alkaline Direct Glycerol Fuel Cell Stack With Integrated Purification

ABSTRACT

Direct glycerol fuel cells (DGFCs) are a promising technology, but scaling them remains a challenge due to persistent technological and economic limitations. In this context, process simulation and modeling emerge as crucial tools. This study addresses the implementation of a conventional alkaline DGFC stack model in Aspen Plus and proposes a physically viable process for the separation and purification of glycerol oxidation products, with a technical evaluation of both processes. On the basis of a unitary cell model developed by the research group, previously validated against experimental data, a 150‐cell stack model was simulated in Aspen Plus under the conditions of 60°C, 1.1 bar, and a membrane electrode assembly area ( A _MEA ) of 0.8 m ² . Polarization curves and stack efficiency values were obtained, and the condition with peak power and good efficiency was then selected for the subsequent purification process, which consisted of pre‐separations and a series of vacuum distillation columns. The stack results showed a generated peak power of 27.1 kW, at a current density of 11.3 A cm ⁻² . All products from the electro‐oxidation of glycerol in the DGFC stack were successfully separated and purified, achieving a high purity for all components, with most exceeding 99%, which allows for the production of high‐value commercial products. This simulation‐based approach can represent a significant contribution for the modeling and simulation collection of DGFCs, within the framework of simulating cells in integrated systems, for energy conversion and production of high‐value‐added chemicals.