Proton exchange membrane water flooding

X. Liu, H. Guo, and C. Ma. Water flooding and two-phase flow in cathode channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources 156 (2006) 267-280. 

F. B. Weng, A. Su, C. Y. ITsu, and C. Y. Lee. Study of water-flooding behavior in cathode channel of a transparent proton-exchange membrane fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources 157 (2006) 674—680. 

Water management is one of the most important aspects for the proper operation of PEMFCs. If there is too much water in a PEMFC, it will cause cathode flooding. On the other hand, if there is too little water in a PEMFC, it wiU result in proton exchange membrane dehydration. The cathode... 

Li H, Tang Y, Wang Z, Shi Z, Wu S, Song D, et al. A review of water flooding issues in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. J Power Sources 2008 178(1) 103-17. 

Liu X, Guo H, Ye F and Ma C F (2007), Water flooding and pressure drop characteristics in flow channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells , Electrochim. Acta, 52, 3607-3614. 

It will be clear from the description of a proton exchange membrane given in Section 4.2 that there must be sufficient water content in the polymer electrolyte. The proton conductivity is directly proportional to the water content However, there must not be so much water that the electrodes that are bonded to the electrolyte flood, blocking the pores in... 

Cation exchange membranes. The most commonly used cation exchange membrane (CEM) is Nafion 117 (Dupont Corp., available from Ion Power, Inc.) (Fig. 5.4). The code 117 is used to distinguish the thickness of the membrane (0.019 cm) from other Nafion membrane thicknesses. This membrane was developed for use in an HFC and thus was optimized to create a stable and conductive environment for high proton concentrations (low pH) under conditions where the water content is carefully controlled. However, this material becomes completely saturated (flooded) with water in an MFC, producing a pH reflective of the solution properties (likely neutral pH). Thus, it does not function according to its intended purpose in an MFC as it cannot operate under its designed conditions. 

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