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This paper investigates the effects of gas flow rates and catalyst loading on PEM fuel cell performance, finding that lower gas flow rates result in lower cell resistance and faster reaction rates, while higher gas flow rates lead to higher output voltage and lesser voltage decay rates.

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System
MFC

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Abstract

In this paper, the effects of gas flow rates, and catalyst loading on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance was investigated using a 50cm² active area fuel cell fixture with serpentine flow field channels machined into poco graphite blocks. Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) with catalyst and gas flow rates at two levels each (0.5mg/cm², 1mg/cm²; 0.3L/min, 0.5L/min respectively) were tested at 60°C without humidification. The cell performance was analyzed by taking AC Impedance, TAFEL plot, open circuit voltage, and area specific resistance measurements. It was observed that MEAs with lower gas flow rate had lesser cell resistance compared to MEAs with a higher gas flow rate. TAFEL plot shows the highest exchange current density value of −2.05 mAcm2 for MEA with 0.5mg/cm² catalyst loading operated at reactant gas flow rate of 0.3L/min signifying it had the least activation loss and fastest reaction rate. Open circuit voltage curve shows a higher output voltage and lesser voltage decay rate for MEAs tested at higher gas flow rates.

Key findings

  • MEAs with lower gas flow rates have lesser cell resistance compared to MEAs with higher gas flow rates.
  • The highest exchange current density value of −2.05 mAcm2 is achieved for MEA with 0.5mg/cm² catalyst loading operated at reactant gas flow rate of 0.3L/min.
  • Higher gas flow rates result in higher output voltage and lesser voltage decay rates.

Keywords

Proton exchange membrane fuel cellElectrolyteVolumetric flow rateTafel equationOpen-circuit voltageElectrode

Identifiers

DOI
10.1115/fuelcell2010-33308
Journal
ASME 2010 8th International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference: Volume 1
Year
2009