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Fuel Cell Lab 09-2396
In this lab, fundamental studies on two-phase flow (liquid and gas) and water formation and transport within fuel cell channels are performed. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are being pursued by many automotive manufacturers as a viable option to replace the internal combustion engine. PEM fuel cells are supplied with hydrogen and oxygen, which react to form electricity with byproducts of heat and water. The goal in this lab is to gain a better understanding of the water that is formed during this reaction and the mechanisms for its removal from the cell. This work is being performed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The core components of this lab are a fuel cell test station, high speed camera, and a PEM fuel cell with transparent viewing windows. Pressure sensors, thermocouples, and data acquisition systems are also used to collect information during experiments. The fuel cell was designed through a joint effort with General Motors Fuel Cell Activities in Honeoye Falls, NY.
The fuel cell test station allows an actual fuel cell to be used in experiments, and studies can be done based on real operating conditions and parameters. The high speed camera is used to visualize water within the cell, and these observations are a core component of characterizing the two-phase flow within the channels.
Undergraduate and graduate students that work in the lab are given exposure to a research intensive environment and sophisticated technical equipment. They also work on projects that are directly related to current environmental and societal issues such as climate change and pollution from fossil fuel use in automobiles.
Many automotive manufacturers utilize fuel cells and fuel cell test stations in their research and development. High speed imaging is used in a wide variety of industries for research and diagnostic applications.
Information compiled by Jacqueline Sergi- Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student 2010
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