B213 固体高分子形燃料電池の水分輸送に関する研究

抄録

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is expected to be a next generation power source for automobiles and home station generators because of its efficient and clean operation. Solid polymer membrane used as electrolyte of the PEFC shows high performance in a moderate hydration condition. However, the performance is remarkably deteriorated in excessively high or low hydration conditions. Therefore, appropriate water management is important in order to keep the PEFC in efficient, and stable operation. This research was aimed to clarify the relationship between the waterdrop behavior and the characteristics of the fuel cell. To grasp moisture condition in the cell, a visualization fuel cell was developed whose cathode gas channels condition can be observed by direct watching. With the experimental equipment, continuous operation test were conducted varying the cell temperature and the gas utilization, and the cell characteristic and the waterdrop behavior inside the cathode gas channels were observed.