Effect of water management on local current in PEM fuel cell

PEM fuel cell is a kind of generator with the characteristics of high efficiency and no pollution. Dynamic performance of current density distribution is important one of its parameters. In this paper, current density distribution measurement gasket and fuel cell test system were used to measure current density distribution in PEM fuel cells. Effects of fuel cell temperature and humidification temperature on current density distribution are analyzed. The experimental results show that the change trends of local currents are different with the change of fuel cell temperature and humidification temperature; the change of anode and cathode humidification temperature affects severely the homogeneity of water content in proton exchange membrane in PEM fuel cell. Experimental results are very helpful for he optimization of operating parameters of PEM fuel cells.