H-TEC Education F107-PEMFC Kit User manual

Operating Instructions
F107 - PEMFC Kit

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Table of contents
04
05
06
08
09
10
12
16
16
16
16
Introduction
Intended Use
General Safety Precautions
Contents
Operation of a PEM fuel cell
Setup
Assembly/Dismantling
Technical Data
Troubleshooting
Maintenance
Disposal

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Introduction
Diminishing resources, more severe environmental impacts and the ever-increasing demand
for energy forces us to re-evaluate the structure of our energy supply system. Automobile and
oil companies increasingly invest in hydrogen technology because it offers solutions to some
of these concerns. This fascinating technology combines a sound energy supply with minimal
impact on our natural resources.
It is important to learn about this technology, especially for young people, who will most likely
spend a large part of their lives with it.
The PEMFC Kit offers the possibility to become familiar with hydrogen technology in a step-by-
step procedure, by way of simple experiments.
The PEMFC Kit represents a state-of-the-art technology. It can be used for practical
demonstration of the operation of fuel cells by means of simple experiments. The cell can also
be completely dismantled and can therefore also be used for vivid demonstration of a fuel
cell’s simple design.
The PEMFC Kit is consistently environmentally conscious in all operating modes, requiring only
hydrogen and oxygen or ambient air for the generation of electricity. Water is produced as a
by-product.
All steps required for setup, operation and assembly/dismantling of the PEMFC Kit are
described below.
Please read through the Operating Instructions carefully beforehand.
H-TEC Education
wishes you many enjoyable hours learning about this technology with the PEMFC Kit.

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Intended Use
The PEMFC Kit allows the principle of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and PEM
electrolyzers to be demonstrated and measurements taken. The system has been developed for
teaching and demonstration purposes only.
Any other use is prohibited!
Hydrogen and oxygen are required for operation of the PEMFC Kit. Air can also be used as an
alternative to oxygen.
Should the equipment be used improperly, these gases present a hazard. To prevent accidents,
observe the General Safety Precautions at all times when working with the PEMFC Kit.

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• The system is intended for teaching
and demonstration purposes in schools,
universities, institutions and companies
only.
• It may only be set up and operated by a
competent person.
• Read the Operating Instructions before
setting up the PEMFC Kit. Follow them
during use and keep them readily
available for reference.
• Wear protective goggles.
• Remove inflammable gases, vapors and
fluids from the vicinity of fuel cells and
electrolyzers. The catalysts contained
in the system can trigger spontaneous
combustion.
• Hydrogen and oxygen may
escape from the system. To
prevent the gases collecting
and forming explosive
mixtures only use the
system in well-ventilated rooms.
• Hoses, plugs and tanks are used for
pressure compensation. They must
not be fixed or secured with clamps,
adhesive, etc.
General Safety Precautions
• The system is not a toy. Operate the
PEMFC Kit and keep it and the gases
produced out of the reach of small
children.
• Unless specified otherwise, do not
short-circuit or reverse the polarity of the
terminals.
• Do not operate the system dry. Always
ensure that it contains sufficient water.
• The system may only be operated in
a display case, which is sufficiently
ventilated at all times. The operator
is obliged to prove this by means of
appropriate measurements.
• Do not smoke.
• Only use the gas storage tanks belonging
to or supplied with the system to store
gas. Never connect other alternatives.
• Only operate the system at room
temperature and ambient pressure.

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• Do not operate the system dry. Always
ensure that it contains sufficient water.
• Remove from the vicinity of the system
anything that could ignite
the hydrogen (naked flame,
materials that can become
charged with static electricity,
substances with a catalytic action).
• Remove from the vicinity of the system
all substances that could spontaneously
ignite with increased oxygen
concentration.
• Tell you students about any potential
dangers and carefully supervise
experimentation.
General Safety Precautions
• Hoses, plugs and tanks are used for
pressure compensation. They must
not be fixed or secured with clamps,
adhesive, etc.
• Do not position any solar modules and
lights in use closer than the minimum
permitted distance (50 cm between
H-TEC Education solar modules and the
H-TEC Education Spotlight, or see other
manufacturers’ stipulations).
• The surface of solar modules can get
very hot during extended operation.
H-TEC Education does not accept responsibility for injuries or damage sustained in the event of
these Safety Precautions not being followed.

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Contents
Housing plates
Recessed hex-head
screws & washer
Fittings
Membrane
Nuts
Fittings
Perforated plates
with electrodes
This PEM fuel cell can be fully dismantled for educational purposes. - Item No. F107
Hydrogen Sources:
• Electrolyzer 65
Item No. E206
• Electrolyzer 230
Item No. E207
Additional Equipment:
• Commercially distilled
(deionized) water with a
conductivity of < 2 µS/cm
• Connecting hoses

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Operation of PEM fuel cell
In a fuel cell, chemical energy is converted directly into electrical energy (i.e. without use of
combustion process). Hydrogen and oxygen supplied from outside the process react to form
water, generating electrical current and heat in the process. The oxygen can be supplied in pure
form, or in the form of air.
The membrane-electrode unit forms the heart of the PEM fuel cell. The following reactions take
place within it:
Cathode:
4e-4H++ O22H2O
Anode:
2H24H++ 4e-
Complete reaction:
2H2+ O22H2O
The hydrogen gas supplied to the anode is oxidized. Under the catalytic action of the electrode
(e.g. platinum), it is broken down into protons and electrons. The H+ions migrate through the
proton-conductive membrane to the cathode side. If an external electric circuit is provided to
the cathode, the electrons travel to the cathode, performing electrical work in the process. The
oxygen supplied to the cathode is reduced, combining with the protons to form water.
Setup
Supply from pressurized gas cylindersSupply from pressurized gas cylinders
1. Connect silicone hoses to the valves of the pressurized gas cylinder and the fuel cell inlets.
2. Connect two additional hoses to the outlets of the fuel cell, and place the free ends in a beaker
of deionized water.
3. Open the valves on the pressurized gas cylinders sufficiently for a small amount of gas to
escape through the hoses into the water. Approximately one gas bubble should escape each
minute.
“Open outlet” gas supply mode“Open outlet” gas supply mode
The “open outlet” gas supply mode is employed with all hydrogen sources that can supply
continual gas flow. These include pressurized gas cylinders with a fine control valve (preferably
with pressure reducer), electrolyzers, and chemical hydrogen sources.

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Electrolyzers can also be used to supply the PEM fuel cells with hydrogen and oxygen. Any type
of electrolyzer may be used, but those employing alkali, acid or membrane electrolytes are
generally employed. For safety reasons, absorption bottles should always be connected between
the cell and electrolyzers employing alkali or acid electrolyte.
To avoid any problems, use equipment from the H-TEC Education product catalog for gas
production. Should H-TEC Education equipment not be employed, the quality of the gases
generated must be monitored carefully. H-TEC Education assumes no responsibility for damage
or injury in such cases.
Important!Important!
An oxygen supply is not essential for use of the H-TEC Education PEMFC Kit. In the absence of
an oxygen supply, the cell operates as an air-breathing fuel cell. It obtains sufficient oxygen from
the atmosphere by diffusion and convection. In this operating mode, however, full power is not
reached. To increase the power, unscrew the fittings on the oxygen side (Figures A & B).
Oxygen
Mode (BB)
Air Mode
(AA)

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Using the Air PlateUsing the Air Plate
Assemble the fuel cell as described in the “Assembly” section. Using the fuel cell in this
configuration will allow heat to dissipate. Heat dissipation will keep the fuel cell from drying out
as fast. This allows you to apply more current to the cell, and in return, get more power.
1. Use a hose clamp to seal the ends of the fuel cell hoses on the outlet side, in order to prevent
the hydrogen from flowing out unchecked. In order to prevent damage to the cell, avoid gas
pressures over 0.6 bar when using hydride storage systems.
2. Should the voltage on the fuel cell drop, open the hose clamp briefly in order to allow inert
gases to escape.
“Closed outlet” gas supply mode“Closed outlet” gas supply mode
The “closed outlet” gas supply mode is employed with all hydrogen sources which deliver the
gas at a slight pressure (e.g. by means of a water column) and with which the hydrogen would
thus escape unused in the “open outlet” operating mode. Such sources include the Hofmann
apparatus and hydride or gas storage systems. Only in this operating mode can efficiency
measurements be performed.
Note:Note:
As excess gas is not allowed to escape continuously, concentrations may form of other gases
which may be present in the hydrogen and which are not consumed in the fuel cell. In extreme
cases, the fuel cell may become completely filled with inert gases. The reaction gas is then
prevented from entering the cell.

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1. Loosen the four nuts and remove the four recessed hex-head screws holding the cell together.
2. Dismantle the cell. There are two housing plates to which the electrical terminals remain
attached (Perforated plates and electrodes), and the proton exchange membrane.
3. Carefully remove the electrical terminals from the housing plates together with the membrane.
4.Carefully remove the membrane. The electrodes should remain attached to the perforated
plates.
5. Unscrew the fitting from the housing plates.
Assembly
Disassembly
The PEMFC Kit can be completely dismantled. Note that the proton exchange membrane and the
electrodes are extremely sensitive components. They can be removed from the cell and shown to
students. However, we strongly advise against passing these components around the class.

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1. Place a washer over each of the four bolts.
Insert the bolts into one of the housing plate and
turn it upside down so it is resting on the head
of the bolts.
2. Place the positive (red) perforated plate on the
acrylic housing. The thicker side of the seal, with
the front of the banana jack, should face the
acrylic. The electrode should point upward.
Assembly
Assembly of the cell is the reverse of the dismantling. If reassembling with the air plate, Step 1
should be done with air plate instead of hydrogen plate. Always wear gloves when handling the
membrane.

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3. Holding the membrane electrode assembly
(MEA) at two opposite corners, place it upon the
perforated plate.
4. Place the second (negative) perforated plate
in position. The thicker side of the seal must
face towards the acrylic housing which is not
yet in place. The two banana jacks should be
facing the same direction.
Assembly

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5. Place the acrylic housing on the screws.
6. Place the remaining washers and nuts on the
screws, and screw the nuts finger-tight at first.
7. Tighten the nuts alternately a little at a time
(max. two and one-half turns) until a gap of
4mm is left between the acrylic plates.
Caution!Caution!
Overtightening may damage the electrodes. We
recommend that the distance be checked by
means of a caliper. Should a caliper or similar
instrument not be available, tighten the nuts
twice, approximately half a turn each time.
8. Screw the fittings into the four holes in the
housing plates.
Assembly
Technical Data
H x W x D:
Weight:
H2 / O2Power:
H2 / Air Power (with O2Plate):
H2 / Air Power (with Air Plate):
Permissible Voltage:
Electrode Area:
Permitted operating pressure:
100 x 80 x 90 mm
0.2 kg
1 W @ 1.5 A
880 mW @ 1.5 A
1.2 W @ 2A
0.4 - 1 VDC
16 cm2
0 - 20 mbar

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Maintenance
Troubleshooting
The H-TEC Education PEMFC Kit is maintenance-free.
The most frequent causes of faults during operation of fuel cells are:
Insufficient gas supplyInsufficient gas supply
A fuel cell requires hydrogen and oxygen (or air). Only when both gases are present can electric
power be generated.
Insufficient moisteningInsufficient moistening
The membrane of the cell must be moist for operation. Should the relative atmospheric humidity
drop below 70%, a risk exists of it drying out. In order to prevent the membrane from drying
out too quickly, we recommend that the fittings be closed during storage. This can be achieved
by connecting a hose between the inlet and the outlet. Should the membrane dry out, it will not
damage the cell; it will simply result in poorer initial performance. The quickest and simplest way
to re-moisten the membrane is to connect the two sides of the cell together by means of a hose,
and to blow through them physically several times.
Damage to the catalyzerDamage to the catalyzer
Never connect an external voltage to the fuel cell, as this will instantly destroy the catalyzer.
Negative VoltageNegative Voltage
Never connect an external voltage to the fuel cell, as this will instantly destroy the catalyzer.
Disposal
Do not dispose of fuel cells and electrolyzers as general household waste.
According to European regulations, used electric and electronic devices may no longer be
disposed of as unsorted household waste. The symbol of the crossed-out wheelie bin indicates
the requirement for separate disposal.
Your local waste management company can provide you with additional information about
disposal options.

© H-Tec Education, 2019. No part of this guide may be reproduced in whole or in part in any
manner without the express written permission of H-Tec Education. Subject to technical changes.
H-TEC EDUCATION
1902 Pinon Dr. Unit B
College Station, TX 77845
USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.myhtec.com