Creation of a PEFC Self-Management Water Separatory

Abstract

The flooding phenomena, in which condensate obstructs the pores of the gasdiffusion-
layer (GDL), and the plugging phenomenon, in which condensate obstructs the gas
channels, are two problems with water management associated with polymer electrolyte fuel
cells (PEFCs). The efficiency of the system is increased by lowering the amount of energy
needed for humidification if the plugged water can be transferred from the plugged area to the
gas intake with low humidity. As a result, since 2006, we have suggested the Self-Management
Water Separator (SMWS) as a solution to those problems. Through a bypass channel and a
change in water concentration, excess water was absorbed by the capillary action of a water
absorption material and transferred from the gas outlet to any point in the gas channel. The
earlier research was able to