The Fuel Cell: An Ideal Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Experiment

Authors

  • Jung-Chou Lin University of Connecticut
  • H. Russell Kunz University of Connecticut
  • James M. Fenton University of Connecticut
  • Suzanne S. Fenton University of Connecticut

Abstract

Fuel-cell based experiments embody principles in electrochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport and are ideally suited for the chemical engineering curricula. Experiments using a hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell have been developed for the chemical engineering undergraduate laboratory. The experiments allow students to study the principles of fuel cell operation and familiarize themselves with fuel cell performance as a function of oxidant composition and operating temperature. Experimental data can be fit to a simple model from which ohmic losses, kinetic parameters, and limiting current density (mass transfer limitations) can be estimated and compared to measured or theoretical values. A list of equipment, supplies, costs, and vendors has been included.

Author Biographies

Jung-Chou Lin, University of Connecticut

Jung-Chou Lin earned his PhD from the University of Connecticut and his BS from the Tunghai University, Taiwan, both in chemical engineering. After graduation he was employed as an Assistant Professor in Residence to develop fuel cell experiments for the undergraduate laboratory at the University of Connecticut. Currently, he is a senior Research Engineer at Microcell Corporation in Raleigh, North Carolina.

H. Russell Kunz, University of Connecticut

H. Russell Kunz is Professor-in-Residence in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Connecticut and Director of Fuel Cell Laboratories at the University of Connecticut. An internationally recognized expert in fuel cell development, Dr. Kunz was educated at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, receiving his BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and his PhD in Heat Transfer.

James M. Fenton, University of Connecticut

James M. Fenton is Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He teaches transport phenomena and senior unit operations laboratory courses. He earned his PhD from the University of Illinois and his BS from the University of California, Los Angeles, both in Chemical Engineering. His research interests are in the areas of electrochemical engineering and fuel cells.

Suzanne S. Fenton, University of Connecticut

Suzanne S. Fenton is the Assistant Department Head and Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. She received her BS degree in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University and her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois. She teaches transport phenomena and senior unit operations laboratory courses and provides innovative instruction for secondary school students.

Downloads

Published

2004-01-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2004): Winter 2004

Section

Manuscripts