EXPERIMENT NO.

5
CURRENT-VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS AND
POWER CURVE OF THE PEM FUEL CELL

Objectives:
1. Understand how a fuel cell operates.
2. Determine the current-voltage characteristic of a PEM fuel cell.
3. Define maximum power point (MPP) as it applies to PEM fuel cells.
4. To produce electrical energy by using the stored hydrogen and oxygen.

Theoretical Background

A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through
a chemical reaction of positively charged hydrogen ions with oxygen or another oxidizing
agent. Fuel cells are different from batteries in that they require a continuous source of fuel and
oxygen or air to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas in a battery the chemicals present in the
battery react with each other to generate an electromotive force (emf). Fuel cells can produce
electricity continuously for as long as these inputs are supplied.

Figure 5.1. Fuel Cell Electron Flow Diagram

 There are many types of fuel cells, but they all consist of an anode, a cathode, and
an electrolyte that allows positively charged hydrogen ions (or protons) to move between the two
sides of the fuel cell. The anode and cathode contain catalysts that cause the fuel to undergo
oxidation reactions that generate positively charged hydrogen ions and electrons. The hydrogen
ions are drawn through the electrolyte after the reaction. At the same time, electrons are drawn
from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit, producing direct current electricity. At
the cathode, hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen react to form water. As the main difference
among fuel cell types is the electrolyte, fuel cells are classified by the type of electrolyte they use
and by the difference in startup time ranging from 1 second for proton exchange membrane fuel
cells (PEM fuel cells, or PEMFC) to 10 minutes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Individual fuel
cells produce relatively small electrical potentials, about 0.7 volts, so cells are "stacked", or placed
in series, to create sufficient voltage to meet an application's requirements. In addition to
electricity, fuel cells produce water, heat and, depending on the fuel source, very small amounts
of nitrogen dioxide and other emissions. The energy efficiency of a fuel cell is generally between
4060%, or up to 85% efficient in cogeneration if waste heat is captured for use.

Apparatus
De Lorenzo DL Green Kit
PEM Fuel Cell
Hydrogen Source
Electrolyzer
Hydrogen storage tank
Analog D.C. milliammeter (100mA dc)
Electronic V.O.M.
Setup

Figure 5.2. Setup for determining the Current-Voltage Characteristics of the Fuel Cell

Procedure
Switch the device as described in the operating instructions.
a) Connect the electrolyzer to the power source to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Connect
the outlet connections of the electrolyzer to the input connections of the gas storage tanks
and connect their outputs and input connection of the fuel cell. Close the fuel cell outlets.
After you have produced approximately 5cm3 of hydrogen gas, open fuel cell outlets,
purge them with gas and close them again. This removes the residual gases that distort
the measurement. To prevent the fuel cell from using any hydrogen before the
measurement is taken, the fuel cell must be switched to open circuit. Start recording the
current-voltage characteristic in a table using the open circuit voltage. Gradually switch
the decade resistor from higher to lower resistances and record each voltage and current
value. Wait for 20 seconds in between individual measurements to achieve representative
results.
 Tables 5.1. Table of measurements of the voltage and current values for the fuel cell
Resistance Voltage Current Power
() (V) (mA) (mW)

330

100

33

10

3.3

0.33

0.1

b) Close the fuel cell outlet. Connect the outlet connection of the hydrogen source to the
input connection of the fuel cell. Open the fuel cell outlet, briefly purge the cell with
hydrogen and close the outlet again. This removes the residual gases that distort the
measurement. To prevent the fuel cell from using any hydrogen before the measurement
is taken, the fuel cell must be switched to open circuit. Start recording the current-voltage
characteristic in a table using the open circuit voltage. Gradually switch the decade
resistor from higher to lower resistances and record each voltage and current value. Wait
for 20 seconds in between individual measurements to achieve representative results.

On a separate sheet of paper, plot the graphs using recorded values:

Resistance vs. Voltage

Resistance vs. Current
Resistance vs. Power
Voltage vs. Current
Guide Question:

1) How does a fuel cell convert H2O into electrical energy?

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2) Describe the voltage-current characteristic curve of the PEM fuel cell.

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