Real-time detection kit for hydrogen fuel cell.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are efficient hydrogen energy devices.
• Existing fault diagnosis methods for PEMFCs are often lab-bound, costly, and lack security.
• Real-time monitoring and diagnosis are crucial for PEMFC operational efficiency and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel printed circuit board (PCB) design for implementing sensors to monitor PEMFC operational parameters and contamination.
• To develop an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system for secure, wireless communication of PEMFC data to a server.
• To create a cost-effective and accessible fault diagnosis kit for PEMFCs.

Main Methods:

• Designed a specialized PCB integrating necessary sensors for PEMFC monitoring.
• Implemented an IoT communication protocol for wireless data transfer to a server.
• Developed a secure computer application (.exe file) for direct connection to a network hotspot.
• Validated the system by injecting known concentrations of contaminants ($$) and comparing sensor data with experimental results.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed a novel PCB design for PEMFC fault diagnosis.
• Established secure, wireless data communication using IoT and a dedicated network hotspot.
• The developed kit accurately measured contaminant levels (11 ppm and 12 ppm $$) wirelessly.
• Experimental validation confirmed the system's suitability and accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The proposed PCB and IoT-based system offer a secure, wireless, and accessible solution for real-time PEMFC fault diagnosis.
• This novel approach overcomes the limitations of traditional, lab-dependent diagnostic methods.
• The developed fault diagnosis kit demonstrates high potential for enhancing PEMFC reliability and performance monitoring.