Comparative studies of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack and single cell

The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was investigated compara tively as a single cell and a 30-cell stack. Various types of Nafion membra nes, such as Nafion 117, 115, 112 and 105, were tested as electrolyte withi n the single cell and at different temperatures, among which Nafion 112 gav e the optimal result. The 30-cell stack was evaluated at different humiditi es and temperatures. The potential-current and power-current curves, both f or single cell and the stack, were analyzed by computer simulation, whereby the kinetic and mass-transfer parameters were calculated. The long-term pe rformance of the stack and the water production during long-term operation were also measured. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.