Experimental study of temperature distribution on anodic surface of MEA inside a PEMFC with parallel channels flow bed

Abstract

The temperature distribution on membrane electrode assembly (MEA) surface is very important to the performance, lifetime and reliability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). With thermal imaging technology and the self-designed fuel cell, the measurement of whole temperature fields on anode MEA surface under parallel channels was achieved experimentally at non-humidification conditions. The results show that the temperatures in the middle channels are higher than that in other channels and the temperatures in the middle section appear higher than that in other sections for each channel. The non-uniformity of flow distribution in parallel channel is one of the key factors causing the non-uniformity of temperature field. It implies that the uniformity of flow field should be concerned for improving the uniformity of temperature distribution. Experimental results also appear that the temperature of MEA, non-uniformity of temperature distribution on the MEA surface and the fuel cell temperature increase with the loaded current density.