Experimental Study on the Effects of the Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

An experimental study is carried out to investigate the performance and the practical application of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell(PEMFC) with the double-tied catalyst layers in a Membrane Electrolyte Assembly (MEA). Characteristics of PEMFC depend highly on the conditions such as gas pressure, temperature, thickness, supplied oxidant type (Oxygen/Air) as well as humidification. They are controlled under the same condition for the comparison of the simulation. Testing condition is fixed at 60sccm and 70°C in anode and cathode, respectively. The humidification about 15% the performance is improved no humidification rather. The current density is increased around 20% significantly when pure oxygen gas is provided as an oxidant. It is found that measured values of unit cell voltage and current are influenced strongly by the type and amount of oxidant, which give more enhanced values in case of oxygen compared to the ambient air as oxidant.