SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC

School of Chemical & Life Sciences

Diploma in XXX, Year 3

Module Code : CP5054

Module Name : Fuel Cells and Biomass Energy

Experiment 1 : Characteristic curve of the fuel cell

Objective

To investigate the behaviour of a hydrogen fuel cell – are the current and voltage
outputs proportional?

Theory

A hydrogen fuel cell produces an emf by combining hydrogen and oxygen

chemically. A conventional battery supplies electrical energy in the same way
except that the reactants (for example nickel oxyhydroxide and cadmium) are
eventually used up and the battery has to be disposed of or recharged.

A fuel cell will provide energy so long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied to it.

The current and voltage output will depend upon the load applied to the fuel cell
and can be seen from its characteristic curve. As the processes in a fuel cell are
the reverse of electrolysis it is useful to compare the characteristic curves of the
fuel cell and electrolyser.

Experimental Procedure

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 1. Check the polarity of the

electrolyser!

2. Check that the gas tubes between the electrolyser and the fuel cell are
correctly connected. Adjust the rotary switch on the load measurement
box to ‘OPEN’.

3. Make sure both of the gas storage cylinders of the electrolyser are filled
with distilled water up to the 0 ml mark. Using the illuminated solar
module, set a constant current to the electrolyser of between 200 and
300mA. The solar module must be positioned towards the light source in
such a way that gas production can be clearly observed.

1
 Figure 1 (purging)

4. Purge the complete system (consisting of the electrolyser, fuel cell and
tubes) for 5 minutes with the gases produced. Then set the rotary switch
on the load measurement box to 3 ohms for 3 minutes. The ammeter
should now already show a current. Purge the system again with rotary
switch in the ‘OPEN’ position for 3 minutes.

5. Stop the power supply to the electrolyser for a short time and use the
stoppers to close the two short tubes at the gas outlets of the fuel cell.

6. Reconnect the solar module to the electrolyser and store the gases in the
gas storage cylinders of the electrolyser. Interrupt the power supply when
the hydrogen side of the electrolyser has reached the 10 ml mark.

7. Remove the cables between the solar module and the electrolyser and use
them to connect the voltmeter of the load measurement box to the fuel cell.
See Figure 2.

2
 Figure 2 (recording the characteristic curve)

8. Record the characteristic curve of the fuel cell by varying the measurement
resistance (rotary switch of the load measurement box). Start at position
‘OPEN’ (off-load voltage), then decrease the resistance step by step by
turning the rotary switch to the right. Record the voltage and current for
each resistance. Wait for 30 seconds each time before taking the
measurement. Enter the figures in the table of measurements. Finally
measure the figures for the lamp and the electric motor.

9. After recording the characteristic curve, reset the rotary switch of the load
measurement box to ‘OPEN’ and remove the stoppers at the fuel cell.

Questions for Practical

1. What is electrolysis?
(2 marks)

2. Which gas is given off from each electrode when water is broken up by
electrolysis? What is the ratio of the volumes of these gases?
(4 marks)

3. Is there a voltage below which electrolysis does not happen? Explain using
characteristic curve of the electrolyser obtained from internet source or
reference books.
(4 marks)

3
Report Assessment

Results and Calculations:

1. Tabulate the voltage and current for each resistance as follows:

Load resistance/Ω Output voltage/V Output current/mA

(5 marks)

2. Plot the VI characteristic curve of the fuel cell.

(5 marks)

3. Comment on the shape of the characteristic curve of the fuel cell and compare
it with the characteristic curve of the electrolyser obtained from an internet
source or reference books.
(5 marks)

4. Enter the voltage and current values for each of the motor lamp in the VI
characteristic curve.
(2 marks)

5. Draw a Power/Current (PI) diagram. Given: Power = Voltage x Current.

(4 marks)

6. Calculate the power consumption for each of the motor and lamp and enter
the values into the PI diagram.
(4 marks)

Discussions:

1. Compare and contrast fuel cells and batteries.

(4 marks)

2. Define the term ‘overpotential’ and list factors affecting it.

(8 marks)

3. If you had several fuel cells, describe how would you connect them if you
needed
(a) a larger voltage
(b) a larger current
Explain your answer.
(6 marks)

4. What do think will happen to the VI characteristic curve of the fuel cell if air is
used instead of oxygen?
(7 marks)