3D Structural Imaging of Porous GDL of a Fuel Cell

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Gon Kim ◽  
Sang-Joon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Structural Imaging ◽  
Freezing And Thawing ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Freeze And Thaw ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
External Light Source

Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography was employed to measure the volume variation of gas diffusion layer (GDL) for polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The study was conducted using 3D reconstruction (or a 3D rendering software) of orthoslice images. Especially, the temporal variation of structural parameters such as porosity was measured under freeze and thaw cycles. The freezing and thawing cycle were generated using a CRYO-system and an external light source alternatively. As a result, the structural parameters such varied significantly between the successive freeze/thaw cycles and irreversible change was also observed.

An X-Ray Tomography Based Lattice Boltzmann Simulation Study on Gas Diffusion Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratap Rama ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Rui Chen ◽  
Hossein Ostadi ◽  
Kyle Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Lattice Boltzmann ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Absolute Permeability ◽  
Carbon Paper ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Microscale Transport

This work reports a feasibility study into the combined full morphological reconstruction of fuel cell structures using X-ray computed micro- and nanotomography and lattice Boltzmann modeling to simulate fluid flow at pore scale in porous materials. This work provides a description of how the two techniques have been adapted to simulate gas movement through a carbon paper gas diffusion layer (GDL). The validation work demonstrates that the difference between the simulated and measured absolute permeability of air is 3%. The current study elucidates the potential to enable improvements in GDL design, material composition, and cell design to be realized through a greater understanding of the nano- and microscale transport processes occurring within the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

scholarly journals Investigation of Hot Pressed Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Assemblies via X-ray Computed Tomography

2017 ◽  
Vol 242 ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Meyer ◽  
N. Mansor ◽  
F. Iacoviello ◽  
P.L. Cullen ◽  
R. Jervis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Assemblies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Computed

Linking pore network structure derived by microfocus X-ray CT to mass transport parameters in differently compacted loamy soils

Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 642
Author(s):  
Arjun Baniya ◽  
Ken Kawamoto ◽  
Shoichiro Hamamoto ◽  
Toshihiro Sakaki ◽  
Takeshi Saito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transport ◽  
Coordination Number ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Pore Network ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
X Ray Computed

Mass transport in soil occurs through the soil pore network, which is highly influenced by pore structural parameters such as pore-size distribution, porosity, pore tortuosity, and coordination number. In this study, we visualised the networks of meso- and macro-pores (typical pore radius r ≥ 10 μm) using microfocus X-ray computed tomography (MFXCT) and evaluated pore structural parameters of two loamy soils from Japan and New Zealand packed at different degrees of compaction. The effect of compaction on pore structural parameters and relationships between pore structural parameters and measured mass transport parameters were examined. Results showed a clear influence of compaction on pore structural parameters, with the MFXCT-derived mean pore radii and pore tortuosities decreasing and the mean pore coordination number increasing with increasing dry bulk density. Especially, pores with r > 80 µm became finer or were not well formed due to compaction. The MFXCT-derived pore structural parameters were not well correlated with the equivalent pore radii from measured water retention curves. However, volumetric surface areas and pore-network connectivity-tortuosity factors derived from MFXCT allowed a fair prediction of several important mass transport parameters such as saturated hydraulic conductivities, soil-gas diffusion coefficients, and soil-air permeabilities. Further studies are needed to link micro-pores with radii smaller than the X-ray CT resolution to meso- and macro-pores visualised by X-ray CT to improve the prediction of mass transport parameters in soil.

Investigation of Water Distribution in a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Using X-Ray Imaging Technique

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Gon Kim ◽  
Sang-Joon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Imaging Technique ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Gray Level ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging

Water management in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) was experimentally investigated using an X-ray microscopy technique. Recently, fuel cell has been receiving large attention as an important renewable energy due to its efficiency, clearness and sustainability. Among various types of fuel cells, PEFC can be used as a power source of transport vehicles and home applications. In recent commercial development of PEFC, water management is one of the major problems to be solved. In fact, proper water management is vital to enhance performance and durability of PEFC. In this study, transport of water inside MEA (membrane electrode assembly) and GDL (gas diffusion layer) layers of an operating (in situ) fuel cell was observed using the synchrotron X-ray micro-imaging technique. As the synchrotron X-ray imaging technique has very high spatial and temporal resolutions, it is suitable for observing the dynamic movement and behavior of liquid layer and water distribution inside the PEFC. For this X-ray micro-imaging experiment, a single cell test kit of PEFC was specially designed for convenient capturing of X-ray images. Temporal variation of gray level in the PEFC components, such as MEA, GDL and endplate, was investigated with varying loading condition. As a result, X-ray images of the PEFC components were clearly distinguished by image pattern and gray level difference. The gray level shows roughly symmetric distribution with respect to MEA layer. The gray level at GDL decreases with lapse of time, indicating the increase of H2O concentration with time.

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