Solar And Fuel Cell Apparatus

Different characterization techniques enable the quantitative comparison of every property and part of the fuel cell stack. By characterizing the fuel cell properly, you can understand why the fuel cell is performing well or poorly. These techniques help discriminate between activation, ohmic and concentration losses, fuel crossover, and defective materials. In-situ testing is important because the performance of the fuel cell cannot be determined simply by characterizing its parts. Not only can the actual parts cause performance losses -- but the contact between the parts can also cause decreased performance in fuel cells. Mass flow controllers, pressure gauges, and thermocouples help to monitor the fuel cell operating conditions. A potentiostat/galvanostat and impedance analyzer can help accurately track the electrical performance of the fuel cell. Some of the experiments that can be conducted include polarization testing, current interrupt tests, and cyclic voltammetry.