Rapid detection of defects in fuel-cell electrodes using infrared reactive-flow-through technique

JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES

卷:261

Article

Das, Prodip K.¹  Weber, Adam Z.¹  Bender, Guido²  Manak, Austin²  Bittinat, Daniel²  Herring, Andrew M.³  Ulsh, Michael² 

[1] Univ Calif Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley Natl Lab, Environm Energy Technol Div, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA

[2] Natl Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, CO 80401 USA

[3] Colorado Sch Mines, Dept Chem & Biol Engn, Golden, CO 80401 USA

关键词: Catalyst layer;    Defect detection;    Infrared thermography;    Fuel cells;    Manufacturing;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.11.124

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

As fuel cells become more prominent, new manufacturing and production methods will need to be developed to deal efficiently and effectively with increased demand. One necessary component of this industrial growth is the accurate measurement of the variability in the manufacturing process. In this study, we present a diagnostic system that combines infrared thermography with a reactive-flow-through technique to detect catalyst-loading defects in fuel-cell gas-diffusion electrodes accurately with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Experimental results are compared with model predictions of thermal response with good agreement. Data analysis, operating-condition impacts, and detection limits are explored using both experiments and simulation. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of this technique to measure defects on the millimeter length scale with temporal resolutions appropriate for use on a web-line. Thus we present the first development stage of a next-generation non-destructive diagnostic tool, which may be amenable to eventual use on roll-to-roll manufacturing lines. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free