Name: SARTHAK AGARWAL

Registration no:16BME0093

Performance test on PEM fuel cell

Aim:
To study the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with various operating
parameters like mass flow rate of reactant and oxidant gases and temperature of fuel cell system..

Materials Required:
PEM Fuel cell Test station, Reactant and oxidant gas cylinders.

Description:

A Fuel Cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a
chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. There are many types of fuel cells,
but they all consist of an Anode (Negative side), a Cathode (Positive side) and an electrolyte
that allows charges to move between the two sides of the fuel cell. Electrons are drawn from the
anode to the cathode through an external circuit, producing direct current electricity. As the
main difference among fuel cell types is the electrolyte, fuel cells are classified by the type of
electrolyte they use. Fuel cells come in a variety of sizes. Individual fuel cells produce relatively
small electrical potentials, about 0.7 volts, so cells are "stacked", or placed in series, to increase
the voltage and meet an application's requirements .In addition to electricity, fuel cells produce
water, heat and, depending on the fuel source, very small amounts of nitrogen dioxide and other
emissions. The energy efficiency of a fuel cell is generally between 40–60%, or up to 85%
efficient if waste heat is captured for use.

The most important design features in a fuel cell are o The electrolyte substance. The electrolyte
substance usually defines the type of fuel cell.
o The fuel that is used. The most common fuel is hydrogen.
o The anode catalyst breaks down the fuel into electrons and ions. The anode catalyst
is usually made up of very fine platinum powder
Figure

Procedure:

• Connect the Mains card to Power point 230V AC.

• Give the Gas connection like reactant and oxidant.
• Switch ON the Power.
• Now main Start up screen is present.
• Press Home Button in screen and check the readings and Set values.

• Interface the fuel cell test station and computer with RS- 232 cable.

• Set the constant voltage, constant current values and temperature values to gte the
readings.
Table:

Case. 1 Constant Voltage.

Hydrogen Oxygen mass Current Power
Cell voltage
S.No mass flow flow rate density density
(l/min) (V) (A/cm2) (W/m2)
rate (l/min)
0.3 .42 .126
0.4 .35 .14
1 0.5 0.7 0.5 .28 .14
0.6 .20 .12
0.7 .11 .77
0.3 .35 .105
0.4 .32 .128
2 0.7 0.6 0.5 .26 .130
0.6 .19 .114
0.7 .10 .07
0.3 .37 .111
0.4 .36 .144
3 0.6 0.5 0.5 .28 .14
0.6 .20 .12
0.7 .11 .77

Graph:

• Plot a graph with Current Density Vs. voltage

• Plot a graph with current density Vs. Power.

Result and discussion:

Experiment were performed and value of current density was recorded.