Research on water transport phenomena in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells by means of observing inside of the cell with freezing method

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24360076
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Thermal engineering
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: CHIKAHISA Takemi 北海道大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (00155300)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TABE Yutaka 北海道大学, 大学院工学研究院, 准教授 (80374578)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): SUZUKI Kengo 北海道大学, 大学院工学研究院, 助教 (50634169)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 燃料電池 / 固体高分子 / 生成水 / 凍結 / 二相流 / 可視化 / 物質移動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of the research is to clarify the water transport phenomena in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) by means of observing inside of the cell with freezing method, and simulating water behavior with LBM method. The results of the research revealed optimal structure of Micro-Porous Layer (MPL) for water discharge control, major catalyst parameters for higher catalyst performance, and CL-MPL interface condition for the better cold start in freezing temperature. LBM simulation method was also improved to simulate water behaver inside of the complex structure in gas diffusion layer.

Free Research Field

機械工学