Effects of Gas Flow Rate and Catalyst Loading on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (Pem) Fuel Cell Performance and Degradation
Abstract
In this paper, the effects of gas flow rates, and catalyst loading on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance was investigated using a 50cm2 active area fuel cell fixture with serpentine flow field channels machined into poco graphite blocks. Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) with catalyst and gas flow rates at two levels each (0.5mg/cm2 , 1mg/cm2 ; 0.3L/min, 0.5L/min respectively) were tested at 60°C without humidification. The cell performance was analyzed by taking AC Impedance, TAFEL plot, open circuit voltage, and area specific resistance measurements. It was observed that MEAs with lower gas flow rate had lesser cell resistance compared to MEAs with a higher gas flow rate. TAFEL plot shows the highest exchange current density value of ?2.05 mAcm2 for MEA with 0.5mg/cm2 catalyst loading operated at reactant gas flow rate of 0.3L/min signifying it had the least activation loss and fastest reaction rate. Open circuit voltage curve shows a higher output voltage and lesser voltage decay rate for MEAs tested at higher gas flow rates.
Recommended Citation
A. C. Okafor and H. C. Mogbo, "Effects of Gas Flow Rate and Catalyst Loading on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (Pem) Fuel Cell Performance and Degradation," ASME Proceedings: Low Temperature Fuel Cell Technologies, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Jan 2010.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2010-33308
Meeting Name
ASME 2010 8th International Conferences on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Gas Flow; Fuel Cells; Catalysts; Proton Exchange Membranes
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2010 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2010
