An Experimental Method to Measure Flow Distribution in the Cathode of High‐Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Stack. Issue 11 (20th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ji, Feng; Yang, Linlin; Li, Yinhua; Sun, Hai; Sun, Gongquan
• Is Part Of: Energy technology. Volume 7:Issue 11(2019:Nov.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-08-20
• Subjects: flow distribution -- flow measurement -- high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells -- hydrogen limiting current -- stacks; Energy development -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1002/ente.201900416
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2194-4288

Abstract

Abstract : The flow distribution in manifolds has an important influence on the performance and life of the stack, but currently the methods to measure the cathode flow distribution between cells in a high‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFC) stack is scarce. Herein, an experimental method for measuring the cathode flow distribution between cells is developed, which converts the cathode flow ( Q ) signal into a signal of hydrogen limiting current ( i L ). By dimensional analysis and experimental verification, it is found that i L and Q have a linear relationship within a certain range. In the HT‐PEMFC single cell, the method can be used to quickly evaluate and screen the cathode diffusion layer. When used in the HT‐PEMFC stack, the effect of temperature is negligible, but it is necessary to ensure the same compression ratio of each cell, whereas the i L of each cell is tested simultaneously in the stack. In addition, the method is limited to measure flow distribution between cells in the stack because the i L value is averaged. Abstract : The hydrogen limiting current ( i L ) is first used as an indicator of the cathode flow ( Q ) in high‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs). By dimensional analysis and experimental verification, it is found that i L and Q have a linear relationship within a certain range. The practicability of this method is investigated, and the preferred test conditions are recommended.