Investigation of the local temperature and overheat inside the membrane electrode assembly of PEM fuel cell

摘要

A novel method for in situ temperature measurement inside a PEMFC cell is explored. This technique is based on the tantalum micro resistive thermal sensors technologies. The temperature sensors used in this work are robust, good chemical resistant, ductile and easily to introduce in homemade or commercial MEAs. Real time thermal and electrical behaviors of the cell are investigated. Measurements show that as function of the fuel cell working regime (constant voltage or constant current), more or less important overheat are possible inside the cell and that the active layer temperature can be really different (several degrees higher) than the temperature of bipolar plate. This, lead to a better understanding of the fuel cell operation and can help the improvement of fuel cell test protocols and metrology. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.