Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
Pulsing the flow of reactants in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is a new frontier in the area of fuel cell research. Although power performance losses resulting from water accumulation also referred to as flooding, and power performance recovery resulting from water removal or purging, have been studied and monitored, the nexus between pulsing of reactants and power performance has yet to be established. This study introduces pulsing of reactants as a method of improving power performance. This study investigates how under continuous supply of reactants, pressure increase due to water accumulation, and power performance decay in PEMFCs. Furthermore, this study shows that power performance can be optimized through pulsing of reactants, and it investigates several variables affecting the power production under these conditions. Specifically, changes in frequency, duty cycle, and shifting of reactants as they affect performance are monitored and analyzed. Advanced data acquisition and control software allow multi-input monitoring of thermo-fluid and electrical data, while analog and digital controllers make it possible to implement optimization techniques for both discrete and continuous modes.
Extent
xvii, 198 p. : ill. (some col.)
Recommended Citation
Perez, Aquiles., "Study of pulsing flow of reactants in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009. 1790.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_5/1790
Identifier
FADT367764
Comments
by Aquiles Perez.|Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009.|Includes bibliography.|Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.|by Aquiles Perez.