IN-SITU METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CURRENT DISTRIBUTIONS IN PEMFUEL-CELLS

This article describes three different techniques for the determinatio n of the current density distribution in operating fuel cells and comp ares their relative benefits with respect to ease of implementation an d information gain. Real-time current density distribution data under steady state as well as transient conditions are presented and it is s hown that they can contribute to an improved understanding of water ma nagement and reactant distribution over the active fuel cell area. The importance of these factors for the optimisation of fuel cell perform ance is discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.