Hydrogen–air pemfc operation with extraordinarily low gas pressures and internal humidification—conception and experimental prototype stack

Abstract Since the proton exchange membrane (PEM) proved to be the most favourable instrument of mobile fuel cell (FC) development, laboratory work at the Karlsruhe research Center attempted to simplify conditions for PEMFC construction and operation. Air flows were employed in hydrogen fuel cells with low input pressure but high velocity. To avoid external gas humidifiers, porous bipolar plates made of carbon fiber material and containing flow-fields for hydrogen, air and water had been used. A self-made nine-cell stack designed for mobile application was tested within a Chinese–German co-operation. The experiments reveal the characteristics and perspectives of the investigated low-pressure FC system. © 1999 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.