In Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFCs), freezing of produced water induces the extreme deterioration of cell performance below zero. This phenomenon is a serious problem in cold regions and is needed to be solved to achieve the practical use of PEFCs. In this study, we investigated ice distribution at the cold start in a PEFC using an optical microscope and a CRYO-SEM to clarify the freezing mechanism. The observation results showed that the cold start at −10°C makes ice at the interface between the cathode catalyst layer (CL) and the micro porous layer of gas diffusion layer. Little ice was, however, observed in the cold start at −20°C, which indicated the ice formation inside the CL. The CRYO-SEM observation was conducted at −20°C to investigate the ice formation inside the CL, and this identified the effects of the current density and the cathode gas species on the ice distribution.
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ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference
March 13–17, 2011
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Heat Transfer Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-3892-1
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Microscopic Observation of Ice Distribution in PEM Fuel Cell at Cold Start
Yutaka Tabe,
Yutaka Tabe
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Masataka Saito,
Masataka Saito
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Ryosuke Ichikawa,
Ryosuke Ichikawa
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Takemi Chikahisa
Takemi Chikahisa
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Yutaka Tabe
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Masataka Saito
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Ryosuke Ichikawa
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Takemi Chikahisa
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Paper No:
AJTEC2011-44517, T20067; 6 pages
Published Online:
March 1, 2011
Citation
Tabe, Y, Saito, M, Ichikawa, R, & Chikahisa, T. "Microscopic Observation of Ice Distribution in PEM Fuel Cell at Cold Start." Proceedings of the ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference. ASME/JSME 2011 8th Thermal Engineering Joint Conference. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. March 13–17, 2011. T20067. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/AJTEC2011-44517
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