Transport phenomena within gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are crucially important for an optimum PEM fuel cell performance. The microstructure properties of the GDLs, such as porosity, tortuosity and pore size distribution govern the transport of fluid, heat and charge. Additionally, PEM fuel cells are assembled under high compression pressure to minimize the contact resistance between components. The compression significantly alters the microstructure of the GDLs, and affects the cell performance substantially by blocking the pathways of liquid and gas species to and from the catalyst layer reaction sites. This study gives detailed understanding on the effect of compression on a GDL microstructure using high resolution X-ray Computed Tomography. Porosity distributions were shown when the GDL is compressed. A significant GDL penetration into the gas channel was observed at high compression pressures.
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ASME 2013 11th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology collocated with the ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conference and the ASME 2013 7th International Conference on Energy Sustainability
July 14–19, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
- Solar Energy Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5552-2
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Effects of Compression on GDL Microstructure by High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography
Navvab Khajeh Hosseini D.,
Navvab Khajeh Hosseini D.
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
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Takashi Sasabe,
Takashi Sasabe
Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Takashi Tokumasu,
Takashi Tokumasu
Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Ugur Pasaogullari
Ugur Pasaogullari
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
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Navvab Khajeh Hosseini D.
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Takashi Sasabe
Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Takashi Tokumasu
Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Ugur Pasaogullari
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Paper No:
FuelCell2013-18405, V001T01A018; 5 pages
Published Online:
December 22, 2013
Citation
Khajeh Hosseini D., N, Sasabe, T, Tokumasu, T, & Pasaogullari, U. "Effects of Compression on GDL Microstructure by High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography." Proceedings of the ASME 2013 11th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology collocated with the ASME 2013 Heat Transfer Summer Conference and the ASME 2013 7th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. ASME 2013 11th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. July 14–19, 2013. V001T01A018. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2013-18405
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