Two-phase flow measurement system for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

In this paper, a sensory system capable of measuring two-phase flow of water at the PEFC output is introduced. It works based on collecting and evaporating the liquid water that exits the PEFC in a vessel that is heated to a temperature above that of the fuel cell temperature. By measuring the vessel dew point temperature and flow rate, the mass of water in liquid and vapor phases are calculated. To demonstrate the capabilities of this measurement system, it is placed at the output of a PEFC cathode during membrane conditioning. The effect of two-phase flow on cell voltage reveals two distinct modes of liquid water transport in the PEFC cathode during membrane conditioning.