An Investigation of Thermally-Induced Water Transport in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells with Neutron Radiography Imaging Technique

Abstract

A fundamental experimental study of the reported water transport across the PEM under a temperature gradient is sought. We wish to experimentally verify the water transport phenomenon observed with neutron radiography and numerical modeling. The experimental observations show a presence of water content gradient across the PEM, indicating water flux in the direction from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, when sufficiently humidified. Higher water content by the PEM is seen at a larger thermal gradient when sufficiently humidified. The numerical results predict the order of magnitude of water transport; however, more accurate material characterization is needed for improvement.