Abstract: A compact water management module for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system is provided. The module is a set of plates, typically two or more plates. Two of the plates are sandwiched together and enclose a membrane. The membrane is permeable to air or to water vapor. In another embodiment, both membranes are utilized. The cathode output stream of the DMFC stack feeds into one of the plates. One output of the module is water that is re-used as anode input stream to the DMFC stack. Another output of the module is the unused air that is vented out. The module is an elegant solution that improves the overall efficiency of a DMFC system. In addition, the module is small in size and can easily be stacked and integrated with a DMFC stack, a mixing device, a carbon dioxide separation device and/or a methanol source.

Abstract: A compact carbon dioxide separation module for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is provided. The module is a set of plates, typically two plates, sandwiched together and enclosing a membrane permeable to carbon dioxide. The anode output stream of the DMFC stack feeds into one of the plates. The other plate has an exit hole to vent carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane. As such the module does not draw any power; hence the module will improve the overall efficiency of a DMFC system. In addition, the module is small in size and can easily be stacked and integrated with a DMFC stack. From a DMFC system perspective the module could also be nicely integrated and stacked with a mixing device/module, a water management device/module and a methanol source.