Residence time distributions of gases in lab-scale polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC)

The paper was aimed at modelling hydrodynamics in lab-scale polymer electrolyte fuel cells, more particularly in the distribution plates. Residence time distributions (RTD) were measured in a wide range of flow rates, using UV absorption of ozone injected as a tracer in the cell. The volume of the inlet and outlet systems, being of the order of the volume of the gas circuit machined in the distribution plates, was taken into account in calculations. Hydrodynamic behaviour of two flow patterns of the commercialised fuel cell investigated was successfully described using ideal reactor models.