2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Study of Water and Heat Transfer in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell with Micro-Channel for high Power density
| Project/Area Number |
13555049
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 展開研究 |
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| Research Field |
Thermal engineering
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| Research Institution | HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY |
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Principal Investigator |
HISHINUMA Yukio Hokkaido Univ., Graduate School of Eng, Pro., 大学院・工学研究科, 教授 (20281785)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
KIKUTA Kazushige Hokkaido Univ., Grad. School of Eng., Assist., 大学院・工学研究科, 助手 (90214741)
CHIKAHISA Takemi Hokkaido Univ., Grad. School of Eng., Asso. Pro., 大学院・工学研究科, 助教授 (00155300)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2001 – 2002
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| Keywords | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell / Methanol reformer / Temperatures below freezing / Cold start / Pressurized conditions / Simulation |
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| Research Abstract |
The purpose of the research is to develop a PEFC with thin carbon separators processed micro-channels for high power density, study start-up of a fuel cell below freezing, elucidate the performance at pressurized conditions and evaluate a kW class methanol reforming reactor.
(1) A high power density fuel cell : The fuel cells with the carbon separators of 0.6mm thickness processed 0.2mm thick micro-channels were fabricated, stacked and tested on various current densities in four and ten cells. The results indicated that the potential of the four cells stack is 2.5V at 0.4A/cm2 and equivalent to 1.5kW/L same as an internal engine. The performance of the ten cells stack decrease compared to the four cells stack because of gas channeling due to vapor condensation in the channel.
(2) Performance below freezing : Water produced at cathode is frozen on active surface, hold O2 diffusion to active sites at temperatures below freezing and lower the performance. The heat effluent from reactive sites as a result of the overpotential is effective to prevent freezing and make self-start of a fuel cell at -5℃ possible.
(3) Performance at pressurized conditions : The operation of a fuel cell at pressurized conditions has advantage at cold start as water carried out with the cathode gas decreases.
(4) Methanol reforming process
The oeprating conditions were clarified to minimize CO concentration, which causes to poison a fuel cell, by the simulation and experiments.
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