Experimental Study on Current and Temperature Distribution in PEMFCs Based on Printed Circuit Board Partition Measurement Technology

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have garnered significant attention in applications such as portable power sources, distributed power stations, and vehicles due to their high energy density, low operating temperature, and environmental friendliness. This study focuses on the experimental investigation of the issue of uneven current and temperature distribution within the reaction plane of PEMFCs. A self-designed 9-zone printed circuit board (PCB) was utilized to test the current and temperature distribution in each zone under different load currents. The experimental results indicate that the maximum current density is observed downstream of the inlet main channel, which decreases with increasing distance from the inlet. The lowest current density is observed at the end of the upstream manifold channel due to reduced air concentration. The maximum temperature difference in fuel cells increases with the increase of load current, and its temperature distribution is influenced by the distribution of cooling water and internal gas within the cathode.