Title: Reactive impinging-flow technique for polymer-electrolyte-fuel-cell electrode-defect detection

Abstract

Reactive impinging flow (RIF) is a novel quality-control method for defect detection (i.e., reduction in Pt catalyst loading) in gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) on weblines. The technique uses infrared thermography to detect temperature of a nonflammable ( < 4% H 2 ) reactive mixture of H 2 /O 2 in N 2 impinging and reacting on a Pt catalytic surface. In this paper, different GDE size defects (with catalyst-loading reductions of 25, 50, and 100%) are detected at various webline speeds (3.048 and 9.144 m min -1 ) and gas flowrates (32.5 or 50 standard L min -1 ). Furthermore, a model is developed and validated for the technique, and it is subsequently used to optimize operating conditions and explore the applicability of the technique to a range of defects. The model suggests that increased detection can be achieved by recting more of the impinging H 2 , which can be accomplished by placing blocking substrates on the top, bottom, or both of the GDE; placing a substrate on both results in a factor of four increase in the temperature differential, which is needed for smaller defect detection. Overall, the RIF technique is shown to be a promising route for in-line,more » high-speed, large-area detection of GDE defects on moving weblines.« less

Authors:

Zenyuk, Iryna V.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Zenyuk, Iryna V."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-1612-0475"

Englund, Nicholas ^[2]; Bender, Guido ^[3]; Weber, Adam Z.  ^[2];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Weber, Adam Z."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-7749-1624"

Ulsh, Michael ^[3]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
3. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Publication Date:

Thu Sep 29 00:00:00 EDT 2016

Research Org.:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

OSTI Identifier:

1329463

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1397381; OSTI ID: 1440944

Report Number(s):

NREL/JA-5900-67301
Journal ID: ISSN 0378-7753

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC36-08GO28308; AC02-05CH11231; AC36-08-GO28308

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Power Sources

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 332; Journal ID: ISSN 0378-7753

Publisher:

Elsevier

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; polymer-electrolyte fuel-cells; reactive impinging flow; quality control; defect detection