Experimental Investigation of the Propagation of Local Current Density Variations to Adjacent Cells in PEFC Stacks

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Santis ◽  
Stefan A. Freunberger ◽  
Matthias Papra ◽  
Felix N. Bu¨chi
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Current Density Distribution ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Adjacent Cell ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Local Current Density ◽  
Local Current

The propagation of single cell performance losses to adjacent cells in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack is studied by means of local current density measurements in a two cell stack. In this stack, the working conditions of adjacent cells can be controlled independently in order to deliberately change the performance of one cell (inducing cell) and study the coupling effects to the adjacent cell (response cell), while keeping the working conditions of the later one unchanged. The experiments have shown that changes in the current density distribution caused by lowering of the air stoichiometry in the inducing cell cause changes in the current density distribution of the response cell in the order of 60% of the change of the inducing cell, even when the air stoichiometry of the response cell is kept constant. The losses in cell voltage of the inducing cell cause losses in cell voltage of the response cell in a magnitude between 30 and 50%.

Direct Measurement of the Local Current Density Under Land-Channel Areas With Partially-Catalyzed MEAs

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Jia ◽  
Hongtan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Current Density Distribution ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
High Cell ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Local Current Density ◽  
Local Current ◽  
Voltage Region

In a PEM fuel cell, local current density can vary drastically under the land and channel areas. The non-uniform current density distribution not only affects the overall performance of the fuel cell, but also leads to the local temperature and concentration differentiation on the MEA, which can cause problems such as membrane dehydration and catalyst degradations at certain locations. In order to investigate the local current performance, the objective of this work is to directly measure the local current density variations across the land and channel at the cathode in a PEM fuel cell with partially-catalyzed MEAs. First, the cathode flow plate is specially designed with a single-serpentine channel structure, and the gas diffusion electrode at cathode side is cut to fit this flow field size (5.0cm×1.3cm). Then five different partially-catalyzed MEAs with 1mm width corresponding to different locations from the middle of the gas channel to the middle of the land area are made. Fuel cells with each of the partially-catalyzed MEAs have been tested and the results provide the lateral current density distribution across the channel and the land areas. In the high cell voltage region, local current density is highest under the center of the land area and decreases toward the center of the channel area; while in the low cell voltage region local current density is highest under the middle of the channel area and decrease toward the center of the land area. Different flow rates are tested at the cathode side of the cell to study their effects on the local current density performance along the land-channel direction. And the results show that the flow rate barely has the effect on the current at the high cell voltage region, while it plays a significant role at the low voltage region due to the mass transport effect.

Effects of Operating Parameters on the Current Density Distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 464-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
A. Mawardi ◽  
R. Pitchumani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Density Distribution ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Current Density Distribution ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Local Current Density ◽  
Local Current

During the operation of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, significant variation of the local current density could exist across the cell causing sharp temperature and stress gradients in certain points, and affecting the water management, all of which severely impact the cell performance and reliability. The variation of local current density is a critical issue in the performance of PEM fuel cell, and is influenced by the operating conditions. This article presents a model-assisted parametric design with the objective of determining the operating conditions which maximize the fuel cell performance while maintaining a level of uniformity in the current density distribution. A comprehensive two-dimensional model is adopted to simulate the species transport and electrochemical phenomena in a PEM fuel cell. Numerical simulations are performed for over a wide range of operating conditions to analyze the effects of various operating parameters on the variation of local current density of the fuel cell, and to develop design windows which serve as guideline in the design for maximum power density, minimum reactant stoichiometry, and uniform current density distribution.

scholarly journals The effect of electrodeposition process parameters on the current density distribution in an electrochemical cell

2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-137
Author(s):  
K.I. Popov ◽  
R.M. Stevanovic ◽  
P.M. Zivkovic
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Current Distribution ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Electrochemical Cell ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Current Density Distribution ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Exchange Current ◽  
Diffusion Control

Cell voltage - current density dependences for a model electrochemical cell of fixed geometry were calculated for different electrolyte conductivities, Tafel slopes and cathodic exchange current densities. The ratio between the current density at the part of the cathode nearest to the anode and the one furthest away were taken as a measure for the estimation of the current density distribution. The calculations reveal that increasing the conductivity of the electrolyte, as well as increasing the cathodic Tafel slope should both improve the current density distribution. Also, the distribution should be better under total activation control or total diffusion control rather than at mixed activation- diffusion-Ohmic control of the deposition process. On the contrary, changes in the exchange current density should not affect it. These results, being in agreement with common knowledge about the influence of different parameters on the current distribution in an electrochemical cell, demonstrate that a quick estimation of the current distribution can be performed by a simple comparison of the current density at the point of the cathode closest to anode with that at furthest point.

scholarly journals A new dimensionless group for the estimation of the current density distribution in an electrochemical cell

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin Popov ◽  
S.M. Pesic ◽  
Predrag Zivkovic
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Electrochemical Cell ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Current Density Distribution ◽  
Dimensionless Group ◽  
The Absolute

Anew dimensionless group for the estimation of the current density distribution in an electrochemical cell is defined as the ratio of the sum of the absolute values of the anodic and cathodic over potentials to the overall cell voltage.

Energy Balance on Current Density Distribution of Cathode Spot in Vacuum Arc

2019 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Yamamoto ◽  
Soshi Iwata ◽  
Toru Iwao ◽  
Yoshiyasu Ehara
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Density Distribution ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Cathode Spot ◽  
Current Density Distribution ◽  
Vacuum Arc
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