Fuel Cell Industry
Fuel cells normally operate over a range of temperatures in widely different chemical environments under appreciable compressive stress. The components of fuel cells must function efficiently under these conditions. The electrodes are porous to permit flow of reactants and products. The reacting gases are distributed by porous gas distribution layers. When the reaction product is water, removal of water from the reaction zone is required to eliminate interference with the electrode reactions.
The important pore structure characteristics of various components of fuel cells include gas permeability, liquid permeability, effects of high temperature, effects of compressive stress, pore size, pore distribution, pore volume, in-plane pore structure, and pore structure characteristics of hydrophobic pores.
All the pore structure characteristics required in fuel cell components are measurable by PMI instruments. Permeameters can measure gas and liquid flow rates as functions of temperature. Temperatures up to 800°C can be investigated. Effects of compressive stress can be measured by compression porometer. Porometers can also measure through-plane and in-plane pore size and pore distribution. Mercury intrusion technique can measure pore volume. Water intrusion porosimeters can measure hydrophobic pore structure characteristics. Vapor permeation rates can be measures by vapor transmission analyzers. Very low gas flow rates can also be measured by diffusion permeameters.
If you have a special testing need that is not part of PMI's standard test list, the engineers at PMI will talk to you about your testing requirements and come up with a suitable solution.