NASCIMENTO, A. P.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7823366446857465; NASCIMENTO, Aldreany Pereira do.
Resumo:
The use of new sustainable energy sources is dependent on the development of
clearer and more efficient technologies. Therefore, the fuel cells appear like a
promising solution for the electrical energy generation, since that the reaction
products are water and heat. This work plans to characterize a polymer
electrolyte membrane fuel cell, feeding with hydrogen and air. The tested 1 kW
nominal power fuel cell is constituted by 72 cells connected in serial. The
characterization is made using a variable resistive charge system. It comprises
64 resistors (20 W) together with blowers for cooling. From the electrical
parameters (voltage and current), the polarization curve, the current density and
the efficiency of the fuel cell were calculated, with the short-circuit system on and
off (SCU: ON and SCU: OFF). A maximum output power of 623 W (37.09 V and
16.78 A), with a current density of approx. 209.75 mA/cm2 and an efficiency
around 42 % are obtained when the SCU is OFF. With the SCU: ON, the values
are 664 W (39.10 V and 17.81 A), 222.62 mA/cm2 and 44 %, respectively. The
results show that the resistive charge system is appropriate to test this kind of
fuel cell. The low global efficiency values (< 20 %) can be explained by the fuel
cell age.
