Visualization of water buildup in the cathode of a transparent PEM fuel cell

Tüber, Klaus; Pocza, D.; Hebling, Christopher

doi:10.1016/s0378-7753(03)00797-3

Cited by 540 publications

(333 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In addition to the conventional serpentine and straight channels [1], a conventional and interdigitated-switchable gas flow field was proposed to improve the cell performance under flooded conditions [2], and a self-draining stirred tank reactor cell was proposed for operations with low relative humidity gases [3]. To develop a detailed understanding of PEFC dynamics, a number of studies on the diagnostics of PEFC, such as on the measurement of the current density distribution and visualization of the water production behavior, have been conducted [3][4][5][6][7][8][9], and an overview was provided on the distributions of current density, high-frequency resistance, gas species and temperature, and including a two-phase visualization [1]. The effects of the distribution of the produced water and the gas composition on the cell performance were discussed using the measured results of the current density distribution [4,5], and the relationships between the local cell impedance and current density have also been investigated [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effects of the distribution of the produced water and the gas composition on the cell performance were discussed using the measured results of the current density distribution [4,5], and the relationships between the local cell impedance and current density have also been investigated [3]. The water production behavior in the cathode gas flow channels has been investigated using a transparent fuel cell, and the relation between liquid water behavior and cell performance was demonstrated [6]. Liquid water removal from gas channels has also been characterized in detail [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance characteristics and internal phenomena of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with porous flow field

Tabe

Nasu

Morioka

et al. 2013

Journal of Power Sources

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Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFC) with a porous flow field have been proposed as an alternative to cells with gas flow channels. In this study, the basic characteristics of a PEFC with a porous flow field are identified experimentally. It is shown that stable operation is maintained under conditions at high current density and low stoichiometric ratios of the cathode air, but that operation with low relative humidity gases is difficult in the porous type cell. To clarify the detailed causes of these characteristics, internal phenomena are investigated using a cell specially made for cross-section observations of the cathode porous flow field and temperature distribution measurements on the anode gas diffusion layer (GDL) surface. The direct observations show that the porous type cell is superior in draining the condensed water from the GDL surface, and that hydrophilic properties of the porous material is important for better cell performance at high current densities. The temperature measurements indicate that increases in temperature near the reaction area tends to be larger in the porous type cell than in the channel type cell due to the lower heat removal capability of the porous material, resulting in the unstable operation at relatively low humidities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance characteristics and internal phenomena of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with porous flow field

Tabe

Nasu

Morioka

et al. 2013

Journal of Power Sources

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show abstract

“…In this way an increase in the ability of the stream to carry water vapor is achieved and thus a substantial portion of water could be removed at the cathode [33,34]. Other strategies to mitigate flooding known as the manipulation of the operating conditions of the FC, such as increasing the cathode gas flow-rate [33,35,36], flushing the cathode periodically with a high air flow-rate for a short time [36,37], and shaking or orienting the FC during its operation [38], can produce significant parasitic losses or increase the FC system's complexity [20]. A simpler approach for mitigating water flooding is through designing the membrane electrode assembly's components to function in the presence of liquid water [20,39].…”

Section: Membranementioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

et al. 2012

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Original scientific paperThis article focuses on the main issues that affect the lifetime and performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. The short lifespans of these fuel cells represent a barrier to their massive commercialization and usage in mobile and stationary applications. As fuel cell is a very complex system, a lot of knowledge of different areas is required, such as chemistry, electricity and mechanics, in order to completely understand its operation and all the problems that can occur during it. It is for this reason that an interdisciplinary approach needs to be taken when designing fuel-cell energy systems. This paper focuses on identifying and solving those issues that negatively affect the lifetime and performance of fuel cells. It is hoped that this article would be a valuable aid for power electronics' researchers and engineers for better understanding the presented issues and a useful guide for solving them with the use of proper power electronic-devices. Initially, the basic operation and structure of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is explained. Three main issues that can occur during operation of a mobile or stationary fuel cell energy system are pointed out and discussed in details, on the basis of the state-of-the-art on fuel cell technology. These issues are poor water management, reactant gas starvation and fuel cell current ripple. This article provides answers as to why they occur, how they affect the fuel cell, how they can be mitigated, and what are the future trends within this research field.Key words: PEMFC, Water management, Reactant gas starvation, Current ripple, Power electronics.Pregled znanstvenih napredaka u učinskoj elektronici usmjerenih ka osiguravanju efikasnog rada i dužeg životnog vijeka PEM gorivihćelija.Članak se osvrće na ključna pitanja koja utječu na vrijeme rada i performanse gorivihćelija s polimernom membranom kao elektrolitom. Kratak životni vijek gorivihćelija takve vrste prepreka je njihovoj komercijalizaciji i masovnoj upotrebi u mobilnim i stacionarnim stanicama. Budući da su gorivećelije komplicirani sustavi potrebno je znanje iz raznih područja kemije, elektrotehnike i mehanike da bi se u potpunosti mogao razumjeti njihov način rada i problemi koji se dogadaju. Upravo je zbog toga multidisciplinarni pristup nužnost pri razvoju sustava koji koriste gorivećelije. Ovaj ječlanak usmjeren prema identifikaciji i rješavanju onih problema koji negativno utječu na životni vijek i performanse gorivihćelija. Autori se nadaju daće sečlanak pokazati kao korisna pomoć i vodič istraživačima i inženjerima u domeni učinske elektronike pri susretu s navedenim problemima. Objašnjen je način rada i struktura gorivećelije s polimernom membranom kao elektrolitom. Izložena su, i diskutirana do u detalje, tri glavna problema sa stajališta trenutačnih spoznaja u području učinske elektronike. Ti problemi su: loše upravljanje vodom, nestanak reaktantnog plina i strujni trzaji u gorivimćelijama. Objašnjeno je zašto se ovi problemi dogadaju, kako utječu na gorivućelij...

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“…Fundamental modeling that addresses water flooding through a two-phase flow model has developed rapidly, and is demonstrably useful in understanding both the importance of water management and the sensitivity of water flooding to fuel cell operating conditions and components. Direct visualization (Hakenjos et al 2004;Spernjak et al 2007;Tüber et al 2003;Weng et al 2007;Yang et al 2004) and pressure drop measurement (Barbir et al 2005;He et al 2003;Park and Caton 2008;Tüber et al 2003) methods have also been well developed, especially for qualitatively investigating water flooding. With respect to the experimental approaches, considerable effort has been put into mitigating water flooding.…”

Section: Zhang Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Hardware Design and Operation Conditions on PEM Fuel Cell Water Flooding

Zhang

Shi

et al. 2010

International Journal of Green Energy

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Visualization of water buildup in the cathode of a transparent PEM fuel cell

Cited by 540 publications

References 31 publications

Performance characteristics and internal phenomena of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with porous flow field

Performance characteristics and internal phenomena of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with porous flow field

A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

Effects of Hardware Design and Operation Conditions on PEM Fuel Cell Water Flooding

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