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http://dx.doi.org/10.3795/KSME-B.2011.35.5.487

Experimental Study of Freeze and Thaw Effect on Gas Diffusion Layer Using XRay Tomography  

Je, Jun-Ho (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Kim, Jong-Rok (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Doh, Sung-Woo (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Kim, Moo-Hwan (Division of Advanced of Nuclear Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Publication Information
Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B / v.35, no.5, 2011 , pp. 487-490 More about this Journal
Abstract
We used X-ray tomography to carry out an experimental study to visualize the effect of freeze and thaw cycles on the gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A PEMFC has freeze and thaw cycles if the fuel cell is operating at a below-freezing ambient temperature. The cycle permanently deforms the fuel-cell capillary structures and reduces the ability of the cell to generate electric power and also reduces its service life. The GDL is the thickest capillary layer in the fuel cell, so it experiences the most deformation. The X-ray tomography facility at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory was used to observe the structural changes in GDLs induced by a freeze and thaw cycle. We discuss the effects of these structural changes on the power production and service life of PEMFCs.
Keywords
X-Ray Tomography; Freeze and Thaw; Deformation; Gas Diffusion Layer;
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