Simultaneous visualization of oxygen partial pressure, current density, and water droplets in serpentine fuel cell during power generation for understanding reaction distributions

Kazuhiro Takanohashi, Takeo Suga, Makoto Uchida, Toshihide Ueda, Yuzo Nagumo, Junji Inukai*, Hiroyuki Nishide, Masahiro Watanabe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Understanding the reaction distributions inside a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is essential for the higher performance and durability. We have developed a new see-through cell and visualized the distributions of oxygen partial pressure and current density inside a running PEFC at the temperature of 40 and 80 °C and the relative humidity of 53%. The oxygen utilization was changed from 0% to 80% by changing the current density. At higher oxygen utilizations, the current density was higher and therefore the water generation. Generated water droplets in the flow channel were also visualized, allowing for the simultaneous visualization of the distribution of the oxygen partial pressure, current density, and water droplets. By combining the observations of all three parameters, the reactions inside a membrane-electrode assembly were discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)135-141
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume343
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Current density
  • Liquid water droplet
  • Oxygen partial pressure
  • Polymer electrolyte fuel cell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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