Progress of Cryogenics and Isotopes Separation , ISSN: 1582-2575
2006, Volume 9, Issue 17+18

Testing System for a Fuel Cells Stack

Abstract

Hydrogen and electricity together represent one of the most promising ways to realise sustainable energy, whilst fuel cells provide the most efficient conversion device for converting hydrogen, and possibly other fuels, into electricity.

So, the development of fuel cell technology is currently being actively pursued worldwide. Due to its simple operation and other fair characteristics, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is especially suitable as a replacement for the internal combustion engine. The PEMFC is also being developed for decentralized electricity and heat generation in buildings and portable applications. Starting with 2001, the National Institute of Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies-ICIT-Rm. Vilcea developed research activities supported by the Romanian Ministry of Education & Research within the National Research Program in order to bridge the gap to European competencies in the area of Hydrogen and Fuel cells.

The paper deals with the testing system designed and achieved in ICIT Rm. Vilcea as a flexible and versatile tool allowing a large scale of parameter settings and measurements on a single cell or on a fuel cells stack onto a wide range of output power.