Development of an imaging system for the observation of water behavior in a channel in PEFC

Nojima, Takehiro; Yasuda, Ryo; Takenaka, Nobuyuki*; Katagiri, Masaki*; Iikura, Hiroshi  ; Sakai, Takuro; Matsubayashi, Masahito  

We developed a new imaging system for observing the water distribution in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) under operation. This imaging system realizes both low noise and high sensitivity imaging and it enables to obtain an image in relatively short exposure time. This imaging system consists of EM-CCD (Electron Multiplication-Charged Coupled Device) camera, a LiF/ZnS scintillator screen and slit system. The EM-CCD camera has wide dynamic range and high sensitivity. The brightness of the scintillator screen is about three times higher than that of conventional type. The slit system was used for reducing the white dot noise caused by primary and/or secondary prompt rays. A characteristic test of this imaging system using JARI (Japan Automobile Research Institute)-standard cell was carried out at TNRF. In the results of the test, qualitative and quantitative observation of water behavior in the channel of PEFC was archived by the new imaging system.