Abstract

In order to increase the durability of fuel cell stacks, the in-plane water content of the catalyst-coated membranes (CCM) in the cells is controlled within the proper range using stack impedance.Setting out to elucidate the status of the in-plane water content of the CCM, the research discussed in this paper employed a water content distribution measurement system to conduct real-time measurements of the in-plane water content of the cells in a fuel cell stack forming part of an on-board generation system. The use of the system makes it possible to determine the in-plane water content of the CCM during both constant current generation and transient current generation. The results of this study verified the effectiveness of the in-plane CCM water content control employed in the 2016 model FCV. In addition, optimization of the control of in-plane water content of the CCM has also had an effect in further increasing the durability of the fuel cell stacks.

References

1. (1) Saito, N., Kikuchi, H., Nakao, Y.: New Fuel Cell Stack for FCX Clarity, Honda R&D Technical Review, Vol. 21, No. 1, p. 16-23
2. (2) Nishikawa, N.: Nenryodenchi no Gijyutsu -Kotaikoubunshigata no Kadai to Taisaku-, Tokyo Denki University Press, p. 84-113, (2010) (in Japanese)
3. (3) Sato, M., Chiba, H., Inoue, M.: Development of CCM Water Content Distribution Measurement System for Fuel Cell Stack, Honda R&D Technical Review, Vol. 28, No. 1, p. 16-25
4. (4) Nagumo, K., Inoue, M.: Numerical Prediction of Water Content Distribution of Catalyst Coated Membrane of Fuel Cell Stack using Simulation, Honda R&D Technical Review, Vol. 28, No. 1, p. 26-33
5. (5) Yokouchi, Y., Ogawa, K., Haishi, T., Ito, K.: Current and water-content measurements in PEFC generating electric power using NMR sensors. Spatial distribution and time-dependence change in current and water-content, The 47th National Heat Transfer Symposium, A213, (2010)

Author (organization or company)

• Toru IWANARI（Automobile R&D Center）
• Kazuyoshi MIYAJIMA（Automobile R&D Center）
• Koichiro FURUSAWA（Automobile R&D Center）
• Masajiro INOUE（Automobile R&D Center）

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.28 No.1 (34 - 40)

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