Abstract
A fuel cell with a simple structure and capable of operating at nearly ambient temperature and pressure is suitable for small-sized generator sets for portable and outdoor use. In this study, detailed experimental analyses were conducted with a newly designed banded structure membrane fuel cell module consisting of 15-20 cells laid out in a plane in order to investigate the cause of a sudden power breakdown during long-term operation. Humidity near the anode and cathode GDL surface of a single cell was measured and temperature distribution over the cathode surface of the module was measured. The airflow near the cathode of a single cell was visualized with a particle image velocimetry system, in addition to the oxygen concentration with a novel visualization system, which used luminescent porphrin dye whose fluorescence intensity decreases with the increase of oxygen partial pressure.
