EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE INFLUENCE OF PRE-CARBURIZATION ON THE SINGLE FUEL CELL PERFORMANCE OF CHROMIZED STAINLESS STEEL BIPOLAR PLATES

A. M. Oladoye; J. Carton, J. Stokes A.G. Olabi

A. M. Oladoye
J. Carton, J. Stokes A.G. Olabi

Keywords: Chromizing, Current density, PEM fuel cell, Pre-carburization, Stainless steel bipolar plates

Abstract

This paper reports preliminary attempts at improving the in-situ performance of chromized 304 stainless steel bipolar plates via the introduction of a pre-carburization step prior to chromizing. 304 stainless steel bipolar plates with parallel flow field design were pre-carburized at 900^oC for 3 hours and subsequently chromized at 1040^oC for 3 hours. The surface modified plates were thereafter assembled into a 5cm² active area single Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The performance and durability of the single fuel cell with pre-carburized chromized bipolar plates (PCCBP) at room temperature was evaluated and compared to that of a non-carburized chromized stainless steel bipolar plate (CBP) tested under identical conditions. The results showed that the PCCBP attained a peak power density of 18.20 mW/cm², which was about a double-fold higher than that of CBP. The ten-hour durability test, however, indicated the need to further improve the stability of PCCBP.

Author Biographies

A. M. Oladoye

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Ireland

Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom.

J. Carton, J. Stokes A.G. Olabi

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Ireland

Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom.