Shuzo Murakami

Effect of storage conditions on the performance of phosphoric acid fuel cells

Abstract In this study, start/stop tests have been conducted on small, single cells at various storage temperatures. Cell service-life has been observed, along with changes in the distribution of phosphoric acid in the cell components that accompany fluctuations in the phosphoric acid volume. The results show that, with each repetition of the operation-storage cycle, the volume of phosphoric acid changes (i.e., increases/decreases). This behaviour influences both the cell service-life and the phosphoric acid distribution in the cell components. Therefore, in order attain stable cell performance for a long period, it is necessary to optimize the conditions under which cells are stored.

Study of electrolyte management in phosphoric acid fuel cells

Abstract Acid volume changes in phosphoric acid fuel cells were investigated. Compared with cells which were kept in a constant humidity and temperature environment without operation, those operated under variable operating conditions showed a relatively rapid rate of acid volume change. Cell resistance increased drastically when the acid volume in the operating cell dropped below 30μl/cm 2 . It would seem that the dependance of internal resistance on operating temperature can be used to estimate the amount of acid in the cell during operation.