Abstract
The effects of various design and operating variables on the performances of a PEM fuel cell were investigated. Performance was evaluated in terms of the polarization curves (cell potential versus current density plots). The specific effects that were investigated were : (i) effects of scale up from 5 cm 2 to 50 cm2 single cells and stacking 50 cm2- single to multicell (quad cells) stack; (ii) the performance of self humidified single and multicell stack PEMFCs with various electrode structures, platinum loadings and membranes; and (iii) light weight bipolar plates in PEMFCs. Several types and two sizes of PEMFCs were constructed and evaluated. Most membrane and electrodes assemblies (MEAs) were fabricated in-house but some specialized MEAs were provided by an outside source. Polarization plots were made for each PEMFC and the data was correlated using the five parameter empirical equation.
Tran, Doanh Thuc (1995). Effect of scale up, stacking, self humidification and use of lightweight components on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1995 -THESIS -T73.