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Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

  • Chapter
Springer Handbook of Electrochemical Energy

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

Abstract

The practical application of theory to experiment and data analysis is a crucial component of effective advancement of electrochemical systems. This chapter takes the fundamental principles of fuel cell operation and the underlying scientific and engineering principles and applies them to laboratory experiments. Topics covered include experiments showing how fuel cell performance varies with test conditions, methodology to fit experimental data to a simple empirical model to extract physically meaningful parameters that govern fuel cell performance, impedance spectroscopy as a diagnostic for fuel cell performance, and data analyses methods to determine the performance of fuel cells. Methods are also given for the practical measurement of relevant items from cell assembly and cell pinch to relative humidity. While the lessons are relevant to all electrochemical systems, this chapter is primarily targeted at new entrants into this arena wishing to learn the basics of fuel cell operation and testing.

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Abbreviations

AHT:

anode humidifier temperature

CE:

counter electrode

CHT:

cathode humidifier temperature

CO:

carbon monoxide

CPE:

constant phase element

CT:

cell temperature

CV:

cyclic voltammetry

DC:

direct current

DMFC:

direct methanol fuel cell

ECSA:

electrochemical active surface area

EMI:

electromagnetic interference

FRA:

frequency response analyzer

GDE:

gas diffusion electrode

GDL:

gas diffusion layer

HAD:

hydrogen adsorption/desorption

HFR:

high-frequency resistance

IS:

impedance spectroscopy

LSV:

linear sweep voltammetry

MEA:

membrane–electrode assembly

MFC:

mass flow controller

OCV:

open circuit voltage

ORR:

oxygen reduction reaction

PEMFC:

proton-exchange membrane fuel cell

PEM:

proton-exchange membrane

PTFE:

poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

RE:

reference electrode

RH:

relative humidity

SDS:

safety data sheet

SH:

specific humidity

WE:

working electrode

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive Campus Box 1180, MO 63130, St. Louis, USA

    Vijay K. Ramani

  2. Scribner Associates, Inc., 150 E Connecticut Ave., NC 28387, Southern Pines, USA

    Kevin Cooper

  3. Florida Solar Energy Center, University of Central Florida, 1679 Clearlake Road, FL 32922-5703, Cocoa, USA

    James M. Fenton

Authors
  1. Vijay K. Ramani
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  2. Kevin Cooper
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  3. James M. Fenton
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  4. H. Russel Kunz
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Mechanical Engineering, TU Dresden, Helmholtzstr. 14, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Cornelia Breitkopf

  2. Chemistry Division, US Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave., DC 20375, Washington, USA

    Karen Swider-Lyons

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Ramani, V.K., Cooper, K., Fenton, J.M., Kunz, H.R. (2017). Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells. In: Breitkopf, C., Swider-Lyons, K. (eds) Springer Handbook of Electrochemical Energy. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46657-5_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46657-5_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-46656-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-46657-5

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