Oxygen transport across the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells was examined by varying the O2/N2 ratio and by varying the area of the GDL extending laterally from the gas flow channel under the bipolar plate (under the land). As the cathode is depleted of oxygen, the current density becomes limited by oxygen transport across the GDL. Oxygen deplet...

In order to present a new and high performance structure of PEM fuel cell and study the influence of the flow direction and distribution on the rate of reactants diffusion, three novel models of vertical reactant flow injection into the anode and cathode reaction area field have been introduced. They consist of one inlet and two inlets and also a continuous channel. The governing equations on t...

In this paper, sensor selection algorithms are investigated based on a sensitivity analysis, and the capability of optimal sensors in predicting PEM fuel cell performance is also studied using test data. The fuel cell model is developed for generating the sensitivity matrix relating sensor measurements and fuel cell health parameters. From the sensitivity matrix, two sensor selection approaches...

In this study, a novel multipurpose portable PEM fuel cell-solar-battery system was custom designed, constructed and laboratory tested, specially aims for applications in the rural areas remote from conventional electric power grid. We obtain encouraging results which show the applicability of such system for used as a multipurpose kit for portable applications. Our study shows that various pow...

the nafion 117 membrane was doped with sio2 particles by sol-gel reaction. the reaction conditions to minimize leaching were investigated by using full factorial design of experiment. the results from the full factorial analysis indicated that the lowest amount of leaching takes place at 60oc without addition of acid and swelling of membranes prior to the reaction. the membranes, prepared at op...

the present paper explores the impact of an on-board hydrogen harvesting system (fuel reformer) on the overall efficiency of a fuel-cell powered vehicle. various methods of hydrogen production for automotive applications have been discussed first. as the hydrogen production is one of the major challenges for application of proton exchange membrane (pem) fuel cells, especially in vehicular indus...

Increase surface area of the 3M-patented, nanostructured, thin-film catalyst support system consistent with high-volume manufacturing process. Develop anode catalyst compositions and structures with higher reformate tolerance and/or a non-precious metal replacement for Ru by using a catalyst deposition process that easily generates new compositions and structures. Investigate catalyst compositi...

A photoassisted oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) through I(-)/I3(-) redox couple was investigated for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell cathode reaction. The I(-)/I3(-)-based liquid cathode was used to replace conventional oxygen cathode, and its discharge product I(-) was regenerated to I3(-) by photocatalytic oxidation with the participation of oxygen. This new and innovative approach m...

The water management is a critical problem to overcome in the PEM fuel cell technology. Models play an important role in fuel cell development since they enable the understanding of the influence of different parameters on the cell performance allowing a systematic simulation, design and optimization of fuel cells systems. In this work, a model previously developed and validated, is used to pre...

Proton-Exchange Membrane-Fuel Cells (PEM-FC) are regarded as one of the prime candidates to provide emissions-free electricity for propulsion systems aircraft. Here, a turbocharged Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) powered with liquid H2 (LH2) is designed and modelled primary power source in retrofitted Cessna 208 Caravan The proposed FCPS comprises multiple PEM-FCs assembled stacks, two single-sta...