Visualization of dynamic 3-D water behavior in polymer electrolyte fuel cell by using neutron image intensifier

Visualization of dynamic three-dimensional water behavior in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) stack was carried out by neutron CT using a neutron image intensifier. The neutron radiography system at JRR-3 in Japan Atomic Energy Agency was used. An operating stack with three cells based on Japan Automobile Research Institute standard was visualized. A consecutive CT reconstruction method by rotating the fuel stack continuously was developed using a neutron image intensifier and a C-MOS high speed video camera. The dynamic water behavior in channels in the operating PEFC stack was clearly visualized in 15 s intervals by the present dynamic neutron CT system.