Measurement of water distribution by using neutron radiography and network analysis of gas-velocity distributions in a PEFC

Fuel gas (hydrogen gas) and oxidant gas (air) are supplied to a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC). Condensation may occur in the cathode side, since air is super-saturated by the fuel cell reactions. If condensed water exists in a gas diffusion layer (GDL) or the gas channels, it may affect the fuel cell performances because of blocking the oxygen from reaching the cathode reaction site. In order to clarify water effects on performances of a PEFC, visualization and quantitative measurements of water distributions in a PEFC were carried out by means of neutron radiography. A network analysis of gas-velocity distribution was applied for the experimental results. It analyzes the gas-velocity distribution depending on the flow resistance which is the pressure drop. Applying the measured data of water thickness, pressure drop in the gas channel and the GDL can be obtained. (author)