Visualising Liquid Water in PEM Fuel Cells Using Neutron Imaging

✍ Scribed by R. Mukundan; R. L. Borup

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 860 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1615-6846
• DOI: 10.1002/fuce.200800050

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

In this article, we review the neutron imaging techniques that have been used to visualise liquid water in PEM fuel cells. A list of the various facilities engaged in this research is provided and the published literature in this field reviewed. Neutron imaging has been successfully used to visualise water dynamics in the flow channels of operating fuel cells. This technique has also been used to understand water removal mechanisms and the importance of membrane hydration and GDL flooding to optimal fuel cell performance. More recently this technique has been applied to imaging the water in fuel cell cross‐sections in order to quantify the water contents in the different components of an operating fuel cell. Finally, this technique has also been utilised to examine ice formation during sub‐zero operation of single fuel cells. With ongoing improvements in spatial and temporal resolution, neutron imaging can be expected to play a greater role in any fuel cell development related to water transport.