Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are a potential source of energy for commercial use, but efficiency is insufficient for feasible implementation. Research has been focused on improving the cell’s individual components, and this report focuses on the permeability of the gas diffusion layer. Global, through-plane, and in-plane permeabilities were tested using nitrogen, hydrogen, and mixtures of the gases in ratios 1:1 and 2:1 (N2:H2). Two different modified cells were used to test the permeability types by manipulating gas flow direction. Darcy’s Law with the Forchheimer term was used for permeability calculations. It was found that the presence of an MPL lowers GDL permeability and has a greater impact on through-plane permeability than in-plane permeability.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Auerbach, Laura
• Poirier, Deanna Lemay

Contributors

• Bonnet, Caroline

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032219-072628

Advisor

• Kmiotek, Stephen J.

Year

• 2019

Center

• Nancy, France Project Center - MQP

Sponsor

• ENSIC

Date created

• 2019-03-22

Location

• Nancy

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-09-19