AN INSIGHT INTO THE CURRENT DENSITY DISTRIBUTION OF A PEM FUEL CELL WORKING AT DIFFERENT OPERATIVE CONDITIONS

- In this work, the behaviour of a single cell, operated at different cathodic flow rates and humidification both on stationary and dynamical states, was studied by a high-resolution segmented current collector. The results, allowed a better understanding of the phenomena, which occur inside a fuel cell. The current density distribution measurement was carried out in a 50 cm2 of single cell Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) equipped with a commercial Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). The adopted fluid distributors have double parallel serpentines, machined on both anodic and cathodic graphite plates. The single cell is equipped by a 16 x 16 segmented current collector (S++ 'Current scan') to collect the current flowing through each segment, during the cell operation. Experimental data was recorded using the 'CurrentView' software that is a part of the commercial measurement system. The effects of operative conditions on the current density distribution of a fuel cell were examined. The high resolution, segmented current collector allowed a detailed representation of the high current density zones and how they move over the fuel cell active area. Moreover, an extensive database for future numerical studies was obtained.