Experimental and numerical studies of local current mapping on a PEM fuel cell

Local current distribution on a PEM fuel cell has been mapped experimentally by using a special-designed single cell fixture. It is composed of a composite cathodic flow-field plate, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and a stainless-steel anodic flow-field plate. An array of 16 individual conductive segments was distributed on the composite plate. A self-made MEA is in direct contact with the segmented current collectors. Regional-averaged current through each segment is determined by using the Hall-effect sensor. To ensure the data reliability, a comparison of polarization curves was made between the composite flow-field plate and the conventional flow-field plate. Then, the effects of flow-field patterns, dew points of the cathodic feedings and cathodic stoichiometrics on the local current distribution were examined. The transient variation of the local current distribution on the cathode under supersaturated conditions was further visualized to illustrate the flooding phenomena in different flow patterns. This technique developed by the present work has contributed to knowledge and understanding the local current distributions in a PEM fuel cell that is helpful in designing the fuel-cell components.