Investigation of Water Transport in an Ex-Situ Experimental Facility Modelled on an Actual DOE Automotive Target Complient Fuel Cell

This work utilizes the channel design of a real fuel cell to study cathode side water transport in the gas channels of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). All experimentation was performed under controlled water and air flow conditions aimed to meet the DOE targets [1] for the automotive fuel cells. The experimental facility provides independent control for water flow along the length of the channels to reduce the effects of channel pressure drop on the water flow. Details of channel design and instrumentation are described, as well as some initial results.