Experimental Study of the Characteristic of a PEM Reversible Fuel Cell

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are the proper way to protect and preserve the natural resources of the only planet we inhabit. The fuel cell is an interesting solution in the field of renewable energy sources. These devices convert the chemical energy from hydrogen and oxygen into electrical and thermal energy. The present paper, therefore, focuses exclusively on their ability to generate electricity, their energy efficiency, quiet mode of operation, and environmental compatibility. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell coverts the energy at high density of power. The weight and cost of this cells are lower than the other kind of fuel cell. A reversible proton exchange membrane fuel cell is a kind of PEM fuel cell. It can operate in two modes - fuel cell mode and electrolyzer mode. Presented in the current paper are the experimental studies conducted into the operation of the fuel cell in electrolyzer and fuel cell mode. The relevant parameters and characteristics obtained from experiments are analyzed in relation to the mode of operation.