Assessment of Various Parameters of Low Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Components

Abstract

Bipolar plate for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell was fabricated with various materials and characterized by different techniques. Two types of gas flow fields, serpentine & parallel, were designed for bipolar plates and their effect on the functioning of fuel cells was investigated. Pressure drop between the two designs, at inlet and outlet of gases was different and its effect was reported. In the fabrication process of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), the platinum catalyst was synthesized in the laboratory and this catalyst was deposited on the Nafion membrane with the help of ionomer emulsion. Then gas diffusion layers were placed on both sides of the membrane. Different MEAs versions (imported and indigenous) were assembled and tested in the fuel cells and their efficiency was evaluated in terms of current, voltage and power. A fuel cell test stand was developed to operate and test the working of single cell and fuel cell stack is also described. Polarization curves were drawn to evaluate the performance of fuel cells. These studies are directed at the development of different fuel cell components which are tested under the same conditions for comparison.