Date of Award

Summer 1968

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical Engineering

First Advisor

Richardson, Robbert L.

Second Advisor

Lewis, James

Third Advisor

Bush, John E.

Abstract

An evaluation of the transient effects of reactant starvation on fuel cell performance was accomplished. Four forms of react ant starvation were investigated: Loss of reactant flow, loss of reactant pressure, loss of reaction sites due to inert accumulation, and loss of reaction sites due to excessive electrolyte. The effects of reactant starvation were evaluated in a single-cell, hydrogen-oxygen, low-temperature fuel cell. The various abnormalities were each applied to the hydrogen and oxygen reaction cavities separately, then to both simultaneously. Stabilization rates, stabilization levels, and transient responses were observed and compared to define the processes of reactant starvation. Relationships between the extent of reactant starvation and cell polarization, and between the extent of reactant starvation and the stabilized cavity pressure were established as a result of this study.

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