TY - GEN
T1 - Experimental evaluation of cell temperature effects on miniature, air-breathing pem fuel cells
AU - Williamson, Zachary R.
AU - Kim, Daejoong
AU - Chun, Dae Keun
AU - Squibb, Cody W.
AU - Lee, Tonghun
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - An experimental analysis of cell temperature effects on an air-breathing, PEM fuel cell is presented. The cell was tested in three active area sizes of 5 cm2, 10 cm2, and 25 cm2. The cell's design minimized the influence of self-heating by using a large thermal body in its construction which conducted heat away from the active area. This allowed for the use of a heater and controller to test a constant cell temperature uninfluenced by current density. Polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy testing showed that at higher current density, elevated temperature increased the buoyancy of the air around the cell which improved open cell performance. However, the opposite is true for lower current density as membrane dehydration becomes more prevalent at higher temperatures. Schlieren imaging, in conjunction with the polarization and EIS data, shows how heated and more buoyant air boosts cell performance. Infrared imaging identifies temperature gradients on the active surface which may hinder cell performance slightly.
AB - An experimental analysis of cell temperature effects on an air-breathing, PEM fuel cell is presented. The cell was tested in three active area sizes of 5 cm2, 10 cm2, and 25 cm2. The cell's design minimized the influence of self-heating by using a large thermal body in its construction which conducted heat away from the active area. This allowed for the use of a heater and controller to test a constant cell temperature uninfluenced by current density. Polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy testing showed that at higher current density, elevated temperature increased the buoyancy of the air around the cell which improved open cell performance. However, the opposite is true for lower current density as membrane dehydration becomes more prevalent at higher temperatures. Schlieren imaging, in conjunction with the polarization and EIS data, shows how heated and more buoyant air boosts cell performance. Infrared imaging identifies temperature gradients on the active surface which may hinder cell performance slightly.
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U2 - 10.1115/FuelCell2011-54115
DO - 10.1115/FuelCell2011-54115
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84881625644
SN - 9780791854693
T3 - ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, FUELCELL 2011
SP - 875
EP - 882
BT - ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, FUELCELL 2011
T2 - ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, FUELCELL 2011
Y2 - 7 August 2011 through 10 August 2011
ER -