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Use of Neutron Imaging for PEMFC Performance Analysis and Design

Published

Author(s)

T Trabold, Jon P. Owejan, Jeffrey J. Gagliardo, David L. Jacobson, Daniel S. Hussey, Muhammad D. Arif

Abstract

Efficient water management is one of the key design objectives for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), due to the influence of water on material selection, hardware configuration, and stack operating conditions. Neutron imaging has proven to be one of the most important diagnostic methods available for PEMFC research, as the various techniques afford the ability to observe, in situ, water transport and accumulation phenomena. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the neutron imaging method, in terms of both the imaging technique itself, as well as special considerations for fuel cell test article design. Descriptions of specific applications areas are provided, including water gradients normal to the membrane electrode assembly, diffusion media and flow field channel water management, stack water management, and low temperature and freeze operation. Finally, we offer perspective on future developments in the application of neutron imaging to fuel cells.
Citation
Use of Neutron Imaging for PEMFC Performance Analysis and Design
Volume
6
Publisher Info
Handbook of Fuel Cells Handbook of Fuel Cells | Volume 5 | J. Wiley and Sons |,

Keywords

diagnostics, gas diffusion layer, neutron radiography, proton exchange membrane fuel cell, water management

Citation

Trabold, T. , Owejan, J. , Gagliardo, J. , Jacobson, D. , Hussey, D. and Arif, M. (2009), Use of Neutron Imaging for PEMFC Performance Analysis and Design, Handbook of Fuel Cells Handbook of Fuel Cells | Volume 5 | J. Wiley and Sons |, , [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=842449 (Accessed March 29, 2024)
Created February 28, 2009, Updated October 12, 2021