Experiments toward Fundamental Validation of PEM Fuel Cell Models

Yan, Q., Liu, Q., Toghiani, H., & Wu, J. (). Experiments toward Fundamental Validation of PEM Fuel Cell Models. ECS Transactions. Quebec City: Electrochemical Society. 1(6), 389.

Abstract

Though the modeling and simulation of PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell) has been significantly developed in the past few years, the experimental efforts toward the fundamental validation of PEM fuel cell models have been rare. The existing experimental data is either incomplete or difficult to repeat, which has greatly hindered the validation of PEM fuel cell models. With the recent advancement in fuel cell diagnostic capabilities, especially, the availability of non-intrusive in-situ diagnostical tools, the experimental data other than just cell polarization curves can be obtained. The current research is thus focused on the experiments that employ the state-of-the-art non-intrusive techniques, such as impedance analyzers, to provide reproducible, systematic and accurate performance measurements for the fundamental validation and improvements of PEM fuel cell models. To ensure the reproducibility of the measurements, the fuel cell itself was made as much reproducible as possible through using machine-made MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) and specified assembly compression. The values of key fuel cell component parameters including electrochemical kinetics, membrane and porous media transport parameters will be obtained, and the uncertainties of the values will also be analyzed. In addition, the accuracy of the fuel cell operating conditions is vigorously maintained according to specifications. Beside the polarization curves, the inlet and outlet temperatures, the pressure drops, the inlet and outlet relative humidity, the total membrane ohmic loss, and the total contact resistance are all measured. Effects of inlet relative humidity, cell temperature, reactant stoichiometry and gas diffusion media on the fuel cell performance are investigated.