Effects of reactant gas flow rates on the current distribution in a PEM fuel cell

De Hua Shang, Guang Sheng Zhang, Lie Jin Guo

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    As an important performance diagnosis tool, in-situ measurement of current distribution in PEM fuel cells is helpful for better understanding of internal transport phenomena and optimization of fuel cell structures and operating parameters. With a specially developed current distribution measurement gasket, the effects of reactant gas flow rates on the current distribution in a PEM fuel cell with single serpentine flowfield were investigated. Experimental results show that insufficient hydrogen or air leads to decreased current density along the gas flow direction. Higher reactant gas flow rate favors not only the local performance but also the homogeneity of current distribution. But current distribution almost ceases to change with further increase of hydrogen flow rate when it reaches certain value.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)601-604
    Number of pages4
    JournalWuhan Ligong Daxue Xuebao (Jiaotong Kexue Yu Gongcheng Ban)/Journal of Wuhan University of Technology (Transportation Science and Engineering)
    Volume28
    Issue numberSUPPL. 2
    StatePublished - Nov 2006

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Management of Technology and Innovation

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