Berlin 2005 – scientific programme
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M: Metallphysik
M 46: Symposium Tomographic Methods in Materials Research
M 46.2: Talk
Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 17:20–17:40, TU H1058
Neutron tomography on fuel cells — •Ingo Manke1,2, Markus Strobl1,3, Nikolay Kardjilov 1, André Hilger1, Joachim Scholta4, Werner Lehnert4, Wolfgang Treimer1,3, and John Banhart1,2 — 1Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin, Glienicker Str 100, D-14109 Berlin — 2Technische Universität Berlin, Straße der 17.Juni 135, D-10623 Berlin — 3Technische Fachhochschule Berlin, Luxemburger Straße 10, 13353 Berlin — 4Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung, Industriestr. 6, 70565 Stuttgart
Neutrons can penetrate thick metal components while they are very sensitive to hydrogen and other light elements. Therefore neutron imaging can be used as a tool for non-destructive analysis of operating fuel cells. They allow for an analysis of internal cell processes, specifically, the formation and transportation of water throughout the cell. In a low temperature fuel cell (PEMFC) water is produced as a byproduct of the conversion of hydrogen fuel to electrical energy and exists mostly in liquid form as a result of the low operating temperature. However, the development of too much water can disturb the hydrogen/water flow yielding a breakdown in the output power. Thus an efficient water management is very important in the effort to optimize fuel cell energy production. In-situ neutron radiography has been used to investigate the water development in fuel cells applying realistic profiles of power consumption which are, e.g., rapid changes of the power profile (accelerating and breaking in case of an automotive application) and repeated start/shut down cycles as they appear e.g. in portable systems. A special problem is the accumulation of water at the bottom of the fuel cell due to gravity.