Novel in situ measurements of relative humidity in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Hinds, Gareth; Stevens, M; Wilkinson, J. H.; Podesta, Michael de; Bell, S A

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.09.109

Cited by 48 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…This observed high level of permeation is in contrast to previous observations for the same MEA. Earlier work on this MEA in a serpentine-flow fuel cell, [6,7] using the same measurement technique, demonstrated clear differences between humidity on the air and hydrogen sides of the MEA. This was explained in terms of two competing mechanisms: electro-osmotic drag drawing water from anode (H 2 ) to cathode (air) throughout the current-generating active area of the cell; and back diffusion of water from cathode to anode in regions where the air is more humid than the hydrogen.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Recently, NPL reported real-time localized measurements inside a functioning serpentine-flow fuel cell, using miniature temperature and relative humidity sensors embedded in the flowplates [6]. In the present work, a similar study is made on an interdigitated-flow fuel cell.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The temperature and humidity sensors used in the work were Sensirion SHT75 single chip combined sensors as used and characterized in previous work [6,7]. Each incorporates a bandgap temperature-sensing element and a capacitive polymer sensing element for relative humidity.…”

Section: Temperature Pressure and Humidity Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This allowed direct measurement of the temperature pressure and humidity of the gas in the narrow 1 mm 2 channels, without significantly impeding the main flow. Previous work [6,7] with fuel cells of the same scale but different channel layout (serpentine flowfield) has demonstrated that the presence of the sensors and recesses does not significantly perturb the temperature and humidity conditions or the general operation of the fuel cell. The fuel cell assembly was mounted between stainless steel fixing plates, in which cartridge heaters were embedded to control the cell temperature.…”

Section: Sensor Mountingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humidity, Pressure, and Temperature Measurements in an Interdigitated-Flow PEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell

et al. 2011

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In situ measurements of humidity, temperature, and pressure are demonstrated for a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell of interdigitated gas flow channel layout. Sensors are embedded at the flowfield edges, sampling air, and hydrogen at several positions along the flow channels. The measurements provide, for the first time, real-time localized data for this configuration of fuel cell. The results show that, for the interdigitated flowfield, moisture freely permeates through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). This is in contrast to lower net moisture transmission through the same MEA used in a serpentine flowfield.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Temperature Pressure and Humidity Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sensor Mountingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humidity, Pressure, and Temperature Measurements in an Interdigitated-Flow PEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell

et al. 2011

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“…Incorporation of miniature temperature/humidity sensors in flow-plates to study water management under load has been particularly useful in this regard. [52] …”

Section: Electrochemical Impedancementioning

confidence: 99%

What Happens Inside a Fuel Cell? Developing an Experimental Functional Map of Fuel Cell Performance

et al. 2010

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Fuel cell performance is determined by the complex interplay of mass transport, energy transfer and electrochemical processes. The convolution of these processes leads to spatial heterogeneity in the way that fuel cells perform, particularly due to reactant consumption, water management and the design of fluid-flow plates. It is therefore unlikely that any bulk measurement made on a fuel cell will accurately represent performance at all parts of the cell. The ability to make spatially resolved measurements in a fuel cell provides one of the most useful ways in which to monitor and optimise performance. This Minireview explores a range of in situ techniques being used to study fuel cells and describes the use of novel experimental techniques that the authors have used to develop an 'experimental functional map' of fuel cell performance. These techniques include the mapping of current density, electrochemical impedance, electrolyte conductivity, contact resistance and CO poisoning distribution within working PEFCs, as well as mapping the flow of reactant in gas channels using laser Doppler anemometry (LDA). For the high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), temperature mapping, reference electrode placement and the use of Raman spectroscopy are described along with methods to map the microstructural features of electrodes. The combination of these techniques, applied across a range of fuel cell operating conditions, allows a unique picture of the internal workings of fuel cells to be obtained and have been used to validate both numerical and analytical models.

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Development of a Micro Temperature Sensor and 3D Temperature Analysis for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

et al. 2014

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This study examines the development of micro in situ sensors and analyzed the through‐plane temperature of a fuel cell. Temperature sensing inside a fuel cell is important in fuel cell diagnosis and analysis. Temperature sensors must be adequately small, so that fuel cell performance is maintained and the temperature anywhere inside the cell can be flexibly measured. In this study, a temperature sensor based on a micro‐electromechanical system (MEMS) is designed and fabricated to achieve these objectives. The micro temperature sensor was installed inside a cell to measure through‐plane temperature. The current and voltage of the fuel cell with the micro temperature sensor were measured and compared with those of a fuel cell without the sensor to analyze the effect of the sensor on fuel cell performance. The developed temperature sensor is of resistance temperature detector (RTD) type, with a flexible substrate of polyimide, high sensitivity, and easy installation characteristics. After calibration of the sensors, three sensors were inserted into the cell to measure the through‐plane temperature, and the polarization curve of the cell with and without the micro sensor was compared. Finally, a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a fuel cell was developed and analyzed by comparison of the measured temperature results to determine the accuracy of the model.

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Novel in situ measurements of relative humidity in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Cited by 48 publications

References 7 publications

Humidity, Pressure, and Temperature Measurements in an Interdigitated-Flow PEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Humidity, Pressure, and Temperature Measurements in an Interdigitated-Flow PEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell

What Happens Inside a Fuel Cell? Developing an Experimental Functional Map of Fuel Cell Performance

Development of a Micro Temperature Sensor and 3D Temperature Analysis for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

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