Abstract
To reduce PEFC accessories, especially for water management, that account for 50% of FC system cost, it is effective to simplify the accessories with understanding water behavior in cell. In this study, we developed a new method of measuring temperature in cell with the array of thin thermocouples (φ 50 μm) to comprehend the water behavior based on the correlation between the water behavior and temperature. We fabricated an in-line thin thermocouple, which is adequate to this measurement. Here, butt-welding of the thin thermocouples was executed with a capillary tube in inner diameter φ 60 μm, whose ends were opened widely. In addition, polyimide coated the thermocouples with careful speed control of dipping. Though the butt-welding and coating of 2 μm thickness were done, the strenghts of butt-welding and electric insulation have not been enough to measure the temperature in cell.
