Measurement of One-dimensional Water Distribution in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Fuel Cell with a Near-infrared Laser

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Tanaka ◽  
Shigeaki Morita ◽  
Kozo Matsumoto ◽  
Norimasa Yamamoto ◽  
Kuniyuki Kitagawa
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Infrared Laser ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Near-Infrared Imaging of Water in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane during a Fuel Cell Operation

2010 ◽  
Vol 82 (22) ◽  
pp. 9221-9224
Author(s):  
Shigeaki Morita ◽  
Yuki Jojima ◽  
Yasushi Miyata ◽  
Kuniyuki Kitagawa
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Near Infrared Imaging ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Fuel Cell Operation

Discharge of a Segmented Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Berg ◽  
K. Promislow ◽  
J. Stumper ◽  
B. Wetton
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Parameter Tuning ◽  
Membrane Electrode Assembly ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Transient Model ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

We present a transient model for an electrically segmented polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell which is run until extinction from a finite oxygen supply. The experimental cell is divided into 16 electrically isolated pucks which are fed oxygen from a small reserve and hydrogen from a conventional flow field. The experimental voltage and through-plane current in each puck, and puck-to-puck currents are recorded and compared to computed profiles. Seven qualitative characteristics of the current profiles during discharge are identified. These are used as targets for parameter tuning, from which puck-to-puck water distribution within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is inferred. The model is sensitive to system parameters, and holds promise as an in situ diagnostic tool for tracking this distribution by using MEA oxygen transport characteristics.

Synchrotron X-Ray Investigation of Membrane Water Distribution in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupak Banerjee ◽  
Chuzhang Han ◽  
Nan Ge ◽  
Aimy Bazylak
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Water management is a critical component of extracting optimum performance and efficiency from polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. During fuel cell operation, a balance needs to be maintained between excess water blocking the reactant pathways through the gas diffusion layer, and the requirement for membrane hydration. The ionic conductivity through the membrane depends strongly on the hydration of the membrane. The reactant gases in a PEM fuel cell are supplied through a humidification system to maintain appropriate levels of hydration in the membrane. The removal of the anode humidifier would significantly reduce the balance of plant costs and reduce the volume required for the fuel cell in an automotive setting. However, removing the anode humidification system could have adverse effects on membrane hydration and on fuel cell performance. In this study, the anode humidification was varied and the cell performance and the membrane resistance were monitored. Synchrotron X-ray radiography was conducted simultaneously to visualize the water distribution in the membrane, the gas diffusion layer, and the associated interfaces. It was observed that the anode humidification had a strong impact on the performance of the fuel cell, with the dry condition leading to voltage instability at a current density below 1.0 A/cm2. The membrane water content was observed to decrease with increases in operating current density.

scholarly journals Lifetime of Catalyst under Voltage Cycling in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Due to Platinum Oxidation and Dissolution

Technologies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Victor A. Kovtunenko ◽  
Larisa Karpenko-Jereb
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Platinum Catalyst ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Reaction Diffusion ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Stress Tests ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

The durability of a platinum catalyst in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is studied at various operating conditions with respect to the different electric potential difference (called voltage) applied in accelerated stress tests. The electrochemical reactions of Pt ion dissolution and Pt oxide coverage of the catalyst lead to the degradation of platinum described by a one-dimensional Holby–Morgan model. The theoretical study of the underlying reaction–diffusion system with the nonlinear reactions is presented by numerical simulations which allow to predict a lifetime of the catalyst under applied voltage cycling. The computer simulation investigates how the Pt mass loss depends on the voltage slope and the upper potential level in cycles.

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