In situ diagnostic of two-phase flow phenomena in polymer electrolyte fuel cells by neutron imaging Part A. Experimental, data treatment, and quantification

Neutron radiographical measurements have been per-formed on operating hydrogen-fueled polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). With the successful detection of liquid accumulation in flow field and gas diffusion layer (GDL) under various operating conditions a unique experimental approach for the investigation of two-phase flow phenomena in technical PEFC has been realized. The experimental setup will be described in detail. Algorithms for an enhanced quantitative evaluation of the obtained images are presented and successful application to the data demonstrated. Finally, results from PEFC investigations will be given. Different flow field geometries and their implications for liquid accumulation inside flow field and GDL are discussed. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.