Application of metal foams to high temperature PEM fuel cells

摘要

The performance of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) with metal foam as the flow field is investigated. The HT-PEMFC is assembled using commercial membrane electrode assembly, Advent TPS (R) HT PEM MEA. In addition to metal foam flow field, conventional graphite serpentine flow is also used to assemble a single cell using the same MEA for comparison. Effects of operating temperature, stoichiometry, gas preheating temperature, and humidification on cell performance are investigated. AC impedance analysis is also used to study the changes in various resistances and electrochemical mechanisms inside the cell.