Virginia Tech
Experimental Evaluation of the Effect of Inlet Gas Humidification on Fuel Cell Performance
Abstract
dc:description.abstractThe development and evaluation of a fuel cell test stand incorporating various methods for controlling the temperature and humidity of fuel cell reactants is described. The test stand is capable of accurately metering gas flows, controlling the temperature and humidity of the gases, and delivering the gases to the fuel cell in a safe manner. Additionally, the test stand can measure the voltage and current produced by the fuel cell during operation. Two test stands were constructed and evaluated, one using steam injection for fuel cell stacks and the other using flash evaporation for individual fuel cells. Both test stands were shown to provide adequate control at the upper end of the design range. The flash evaporation test apparatus was used to investigate the effect of inlet gas humidity on fuel cell performance. The results from this investigation showed that, for a fuel cell and reactant temperature of 75°C, the best performance was achieved with a high relative humidity (90%RH) for the hydrogen and a comparatively low relative humidity (60%) for the air.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- masters
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Mechanical Engineering
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Mechanical Engineering
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2003
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Evans, John P.
- Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Ellis, Michael W.
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Von Spakovsky, Michael R.
- Nelson, Douglas J.
Subjects
dc:subject × 6Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- etd-09302003-185853
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/9597