(94d) Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

Fuel Cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy by using an electrochemical process. The type of fuel cell used in the experiment was Polymer Electrolyte Membrane or Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM). PEM operates at relatively low temperatures with a high power density. The fuel cell design is based on coupled stirred tank reactors (STRs) through a membrane. PEM is used to examine the current versus voltage curves changing the gas composition at the cathode on flooding flow rates in O2/N2 percent from air simulation. Also, the mass transfer coefficient (Kc) of the cathode is calculated. The dynamic response of the fuel cell is explored over different percents of O2/N2 through the cathode; the temperature range is between 45?80 ºC. The pressure and the relative humidity is the same in each test (1 atm, 0%RH), and the flow rate of H2 (mL/min) remained constant through the anode. The ideal temperature to achieve at the highest efficiency is at 60ºC, 1atm and dry feeds. At 80 ºC the membrane gets dried and the fuel cell stops to work; this phenomenon is called ?extinguished?. Finally, a direct decrease relationship between the O2% and the voltage is proved.