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

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.