Estudo de uma célula a combustível hidrogênio/ar de 1 kW de eletrólito membrana polimérica.

Abstract

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.