Utilizing a Segmented Fuel Cell to Study the Effects of Electrode Coating Irregularities on PEM Fuel Cell Initial Performance

Phillips, Adam; Ulsh, Michael; Porter, Jason; Bender, Guido

doi:10.1002/fuce.201600214

Title: Utilizing a Segmented Fuel Cell to Study the Effects of Electrode Coating Irregularities on PEM Fuel Cell Initial Performance

Journal Article · Thu Apr 27 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Fuel Cells

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/fuce.201600214· OSTI ID:1364158

Phillips, Adam ^[1]; Ulsh, Michael ^[2]; Porter, Jason ^[3]; Bender, Guido ^[2]

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)

Abstract An understanding of the impact of coating irregularities on beginning of life polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) performance is essential to develop and establish manufacturing tolerances for its components. Coating irregularities occurring in the fuel cell electrode can either possess acceptable process variations or potentially harmful defects. A segmented fuel cell (SFC) is employed to understand how 100% catalyst reduction irregularities ranging from 0.125 to 1 cm ² in the cathode electrode of a 50 cm ² sized cell impact spatial and total cell performance at dry and wet humidification conditions. By analyzing the data in a differential format the local performance effects of irregularity sizes down to 0.25 cm ² were detected in the current distribution of the cell. Slight total cell performance impacts, due to irregularity sizes of 0.5 and 1 cm ² , were observed under dry operation and high current densities.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program (EE-3F); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; DE‐AC36‐08‐GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1364158

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1389903

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-67416

Journal Information:: Fuel Cells, Vol. 17, Issue 3; ISSN 1615-6846

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 19 works

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Cited By (3)

Along-the-Channel Impacts of Water Management and Carbon-Dioxide Contamination in Hydroxide-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cells: A Modeling Study Gerhardt, Michael R.; Pant, Lalit M.; Weber, Adam Z. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Vol. 166, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0171907jes	journal	January 2019
Local Current Density and Electrochemical Impedance Measurements within 50 cm Single-Channel PEM Electrolysis Cell Immerz, C.; Bensmann, B.; Trinke, P. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Vol. 165, Issue 16 https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0411816jes	journal	January 2018
Local Current Density and Electrochemical Impedance Measurements within 50 cm Single-Channel PEM Electrolysis Cell Immerz, C.; Bensmann, B.; Trinke, P. Pennington : Electrochemical Society (ECS) https://doi.org/10.15488/4911	other	January 2018

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30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
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manufacturing
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