Integrating Fiber Sensing for Spatially Resolved Temperature Measurement in Fuel Cells

Nicolas Muck (), Christoph David and Torsten Knöri
Additional contact information
Nicolas Muck: Department of Vehicle Energy Concepts, DLR-Institute of Vehicle Concepts, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Christoph David: Department of Vehicle Energy Concepts, DLR-Institute of Vehicle Concepts, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Torsten Knöri: Department of Electrochemical Energy Technology, Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Energies, 2023, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Fiber optic sensors integrated into fuel cell stacks have the potential to significantly enhance the temperature control and health monitoring of fuel cells. Inhomogeneous loading, both within individual cells and across different cells in a stack, leads to the formation of local hotspots that accelerate aging and degrade performance. This study investigates the behavior and feasibility of incorporating polyimide-coated optical fiber sensors into bipolar plates for precise and spatially resolved temperature monitoring. The sensor is successfully integrated into a single cell of a fuel cell stack and positioned on the bipolar plate in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly. Pre-tests are conducted to thoroughly evaluate the technical properties of the fiber in relation to specific cell requirements. Additionally, a physical prototype featuring the sensor is developed and employed to validate its effectiveness under realistic operating conditions. The temperature measurement obtained via the fiber exhibits a continuous profile throughout the entire length, covering both the active area and distributor region of the cell. Throughout the entire 60 min test period, the measuring system provides continuous and uninterrupted temperature measurements, encompassing the start of the stack, the heating phase, the subsequent stable operating point, and the cooling phase. However, some technical challenges have been identified, as mechanical pressure exerted on the fiber influences the measured temperature. While this work demonstrates promising results, further advancements are necessary to address inhomogeneous loading within fuel cells and hotspot mitigation. The precise monitoring of temperature distribution enables early detection of potential damage, facilitating timely interventions to improve the service life and overall performance of fuel cells.

Keywords: fuel cell; health monitoring; fiber optic sensors; temperature measurement; in situ method; metallic bipolar plate; inhomogeneous loading; local hotspot; realistic operating condition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/16/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/16/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:16-:d:1303352

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().