Tsukuba, Japan—Fuel cells are attracting attention as a clean energy source technology because the cells do not produce carbon dioxide and emit only water during power generation. However, two contradictory phenomena can hamper their performance: flooding, wherein water remains inside the fuel cell and interferes with power generation, and dry-out, wherein an excess of water is removed and the polymer membrane, through which hydrogen ions permeate, dries out. To detect such issues, various devices and sensors have been used in analyses based on substantial amounts of data.
This research team has been investigating a method for detecting and controlling fuel cell malfunctions using magnetic sensors. By improving the diagnostic method, the team developed a system to visualize and control the current distribution in the fuel cell in real time. Consequently, the researchers found that control based on voltage indices stabilizes voltage, while the current distribution is biased in the same manner as a malfunction. However, a simple control method based solely on the current distribution kept the current distribution in the fuel cell constant, enabling the fuel cell to operate in a stable state.
In future research, the aim is to establish a comprehensive fuel cell diagnostic and control system with the objective of incorporating this method into real-world fuel cell systems.
