Versatile Flow Fields Design for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells by Dr. Meenakshi S | Department of Energy Science and Engineering

Location and Date:

Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 4:30 pm, LT 102

Abstract:

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In the present work is focus on the polymer electrolyte fuel cells

(PEFCs), more particularly the flow field and manifold for supplying gases

to the fuel cell. A reactant supply system for PEFC capable of acting in

different configurations is discussed. The flow design consists of the

multi-channel parallel flow field. A pair of an inlet is used for

supplying gases in the multiple parallel channels and a pair of outlet

manifold is used for collecting the reactant gases from the flow

channels. The flow field in combination with reactant supply system is

capable of acting in the different mode such as serpentine,

interdigitated, counter flow, dead-end and serpentine-interdigitated

hybrid. Serpentine single inlet, serpentine double inlet, counter flow,

interdigitated, serpentine-interdigitated hybrid flow field patterns

delivers a similar power density of around 450-700 mA cm-2 at 0.65

V under identical operating conditions.

Biography

I am Meenakshi presently working as Post-Doctoral Fellow at IIT Bombay under the supervision of Prof. P. C. Ghosh. I have completed my doctorate at Fuel Cell division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Chennai under the supervision of Dr. P. Sridhar on “STUDIES ON DIRECT ALCOHOL POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS” from September 2011 to December 2014. I have 11 peer reviewed international papers and presented my work in many National/International Conferences. Research carried out on synthesis, characterization and evaluation of new/modified solid polymer electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cell and direct ethanol fuel cell. Efforts are being pursued to develop alcohol tolerant as well as electro-oxidation catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells and contributed on fuel cell system development. I have hands on experience in various physical and electro-chemical characterization instruments too, I have around nine years’ experience in the field of electro-catalysis and membrane materials for fuel cell applications. I completed my master degree in Chemistry and University Rank holder in April 2008 at Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu. I was drawn to chemistry because of my interest and analytical ability, command on my subject and willingness towards the subject.