Rapid detection of defects in fuel-cell electrodes using infrared reactive-flow-through technique

Abstract

As fuel cells become more prominent, new manufacturing and production methods will need to be developed to deal efficiently and effectively with increased demand. One necessary component of this industrial growth is accurate measurement of the variability in the manufacturing process. In this study, we present a diagnostic system that combines infrared thermography with a reactive-flow-through technique to detect catalyst-loading defects in fuelcell gas-diffusion electrodes accurately with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Experimental results are compared with model predictions of thermal response with good agreement. Data analysis, operating-condition impacts, and detection limits are explored using both experiments and simulation. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of this technique to measure defects on the millimeter length scale with temporal resolutions appropriate for use on a web-line. Thus we present the first development stage of a next-generation non-destructive diagnostic tool, which may be amenable to eventual use on roll-to-roll manufacturing lines.

Defect Detection in Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Electrodes Using Infrared Thermography

“…This gas mixture was chosen as a balance between maximizing the thermal response from the CL, as presented in our previous work [53], and maintaining a safe, i.e., non-flammable, mixture. The gas mixture was delivered through a gas knife to the substrate using a bench-top MKS gas flow control system.…”

“…In this work we report on the further development of an IR thermography technique using reactive-gas excitation to detect defects in gas diffusion electrode (GDE) CLs. In particular, we describe the transition from a technique in which the GDE is stationary and fully enclosed in a compartment -previously reported on and referred to as reactive flow-through (RFT) [52,53] -to a technique allowing motion of the GDE. This new technique, henceforth referred to as reactive impinging flow (RIF), applied in an open-to-the-atmosphere environment, allows for excitation and inspection of a GDE sheet or roll on a roller system.…”

Recent Developments in Computational Approaches to Optimization under Uncertainty and Application in Process Systems Engineering

“…Experiments were performed using a non‐flammable gas mixture containing 2.0% H 2 and 1.0% O 2 in N 2 . This gas mixture was chosen as a balance between maximizing the thermal response from the CL, as presented in our previous work 53, and maintaining a safe, i.e., non‐flammable, mixture. The gas mixture was delivered through a gas knife to the substrate using a bench‐top MKS gas flow control system.…”

Constructal Design of a Rectangular Fin in a Mixed Convective Confined Environment

“…The nanofluid density, the specific heat at constant pressure, and the coefficient of thermal expansion are calculated according to the mixing theory by the following relations [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]:…”