PEM Degradation Investigation Final Technical Report

Stevenson, Dan ; Spangler, Lee H

Montana State Univeristy, Bozeman, Montana

关键词: Membranes;    Monitoring;    30 Direct Energy Conversion;    Polymers;    Electrolytes;   

DOI  :  10.2172/918882
RP-ID  :  No number was assigned
RP-ID  :  FG36-99GO10436
RP-ID  :  918882

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The objectives of this paper are: (1) Develop a system capable of measuring current and voltage performance for each membrane in a Polymer Electrolyte Membranes (PEM) fuel cell stack and record the performance of each individual cell; (2) Develop a single cell PEM FC to allow in situ synchrotron x-ray measurements of the cell in operation and to perform spatially resolved x-ray measurements on fuel cell elements before and after degradation; and (3) Perform initial magnetic resonance microimaging experiments on membrane materials. The Montana State University PEM Membrane Degradation program is geared towards determining how and why membranes in fuel cells degrade and fail. By monitoring every individual membrane in a fuel cell 2000 times/sec while the cell is subjected to real-world type use, we hope to: (1) cause the types of degradation users see, but in a controlled environment; (2) determine an electrical signature that will identify what causes failure, or at least warns of impending failure; (3) allows us to perform advanced x-ray and MRI characterization of the degraded membranes to provide information that may result in improvements of the membrane material; and (4) perhaps allow design of electronic control systems that will prevent fuel cells from operating under conditions where damage is likely to occur.