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Local electrochemical characteristics at various operating pressure and temperature values using a segmented polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

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Abstract

The pressurization of reactant gases is one of the solutions for generating considerable power in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with a restricted size. Electrochemical phenomena, such as current density distribution and ohmic resistance distribution, were observed to validate the effects of operating pressure and temperature on cell performance. The test was conducted in galvanostatic mode, and an inhomogeneous current distribution was observed under a high-pressure condition, except at a high temperature. High-frequency resistance measurement was also conducted to observe local ohmic resistance. Result showed that high pressure and temperature reduced ohmic loss and improved overall cell performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea

    Young Sang Kim, Dong Kyu Kim & Min Soo Kim

  2. Korea Automotive Technology Institute, Gwangju, 62233, Korea

    Im Mo Kong

  3. School of Energy Systems Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Korea

    Minsung Kim

Authors
  1. Young Sang Kim
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  2. Dong Kyu Kim
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  3. Im Mo Kong
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  4. Minsung Kim
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  5. Min Soo Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Min Soo Kim.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Yong-Tae Kim

Young Sang Kim obtained his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. His research interests include thermodynamics and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.

Min Soo Kim obtained his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Seoul National University as an Associate Professor in 1994. His teaching and research interests include refrigeration, heat transfer, thermophysical property, fuel cell systems and fuel cell electric vehicles.

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Kim, Y.S., Kim, D.K., Kong, I.M. et al. Local electrochemical characteristics at various operating pressure and temperature values using a segmented polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. J Mech Sci Technol 30, 4391–4396 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-016-0853-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-016-0853-7

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