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- Computed tomography (8)
- Electron tomography (8)
- DIRECTT (5)
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- Fuel cell (4)
- Neutron tomography (4)
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Organisationseinheit der BAM
We present an experimental approach to study the three-dimensional microstructure of gas diffusion layer (GDL) materials under realistic compression conditions. A dedicated compression device was designed that allows for synchrotron-tomographic investigation of circular samples under well-defined compression conditions. The tomographic data provide the experimental basis for stochastic modeling of nonwoven GDL materials. A plain compression tool is used to study the fiber courses in the material at different compression stages. Transport relevant geometrical parameters, such as porosity, pore size, and tortuosity distributions, are exemplarily evaluated for a GDL sample in the uncompressed state and for a compression of 30 vol.%. To mimic the geometry of the flow-field, we employed a compression punch with an integrated channel-rib-profile. It turned out that the GDL material is homogeneously compressed under the ribs, however, much less compressed underneath the channel. GDL fibers extend far into the channel volume where they might interfere with the convective gas transport and the removal of liquid water from the cell.
We present a synchrotron X-ray tomographic study on the morphology of carbon fiber-based gas diffusion layer (GDL) material under compression. A dedicated compression device is used to provide well-defined compression conditions. A flat compression punch is employed to study the fiber geometry at different degrees of compression. Transport relevant geometrical parameters such as porosity, pore size and tortuosity distributions are calculated. The geometric properties notably change upon compression which has direct impact on transport conditions for gas and fluid flow. The availability of broad 3D paths, which are most important for the transport of liquid water from the catalyst layer through the GDL, is markedly reduced after compression. In a second experiment, we study the influence of the channel-land-pattern of the flow-field on shape and microstructure of the GDL. A flow-field compression punch is employed to reproduce the inhomogeneous compression conditions found during fuel cell assembly. While homogenously compressed underneath the land the GDL is much less and inhomogeneously compressed under the channel. The GDL material extends far into the channel volume where it can considerably influence gas and fluid flow. Loose fiber endings penetrate deeply into the channel and form obstacles for the discharge of liquid water droplets.
Carbon fiber based felt materials are widely used as gas diffusion layer (GDL) in fuel cells. Their transport properties can be adjusted by adding hydrophobic agents such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). We present a synchrotron X-ray tomographic study on the felt material Freudenberg H2315 with different PTFE finishing. In this study, we analyze changes in microstructure and shape of GDLs at increasing degree of compression which are related to their specific PTFE load. A dedicated compression device mimicking the channel-land pattern of the flowfield is used to reproduce the inhomogeneous compression found in a fuel cell. Transport relevant geometrical parameters such as porosity, pore size distribution and geometric tortuosity are calculated and consequences for media transport discussed. PTFE finishing results in a marked change of shape of compressed GDLs: surface is smoothed and the invasion of GDL fibers into the flow field channel strongly mitigated. Furthermore, the PTFE impacts the microstructure of the compressed GDL. The number of available wide transport paths is significantly increased as compared to the untreated material. These changes improve the transport capacity liquid water through the GDL and promote the discharge of liquid water droplets from the cell.
Neutron tomography was applied to study the 3D water distribution in full polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks. The water distribution after switch-off of the fuel cell was analyzed over a period of 36 h. We found a slowly increasing water amount in the fuel cell, but only few changes within a time period of 5 h, which is about the time necessary for neutron tomography. In this way, the requirement for successful tomography was obtained. It is demonstrated how the quasi in-situ tomography technique enables us to study the water content in individual flow field channels of three-fold stacks. Flow field as well as stack design issues are addressed by this visualization method showing weak points due to a non-uniform water distribution that can be identified by means of neutron imaging.
Magnetic domains have been the subject of much scientific investigation since their theoretical existence was first postulated by P.-E. Weiss over a century ago. Up to now, the three-dimensional (3D) domain structure of bulk magnets has never been observed owing to the lack of appropriate experimental methods. Domain analysis in bulk matter thus remains one of the most challenging tasks in research on magnetic materials. All current domain observation methods are limited to studying surface domains or thin magnetic films. As the properties of magnetic materials are strongly affected by their domain structure, the development of a technique capable of investigating the shape, size and distribution of individual domains in three dimensions is of great importance. Here, we show that the novel technique of Talbot-Lau neutron tomography with inverted geometry enables direct imaging of the 3D network of magnetic domains within the bulk of FeSi crystals.
This paper gives a brief overview on3D imaging of magnetic domains with shearing grating neutron tomography. We investigated the three-dimensional distribution of magnetic domain walls in the bulk of a wedge-shaped FeSi single crystal. The width of the magnetic domains wasanalyzed at different locations within the crystal. Magnetic domains close to the tip of the wedge are much smaller than in the bulk. Furthermore, the three-dimensional shape of individual domains wasinvestigated. We discuss prospects and limitations of the applied measurement technique.
In-situ-Neutronenradiografie wird erfolgreich eingesetzt, um flüssiges Wasser in Niedertemperatur-PEM-Brennstoffzellen während des Betriebs zerstörungsfrei abzubilden und das sogenannte Wassermanagement eine der größten Herausforderungen der Entwicklung durch Anpassung der Materialeigenschaften zu optimieren. Dabei werden die besonderen Eigenschaften der Neutronen genutzt, die metallische Bauteile relativ leicht durchdringen, während selbst kleine Wassermengen durch ihre starke Streuung leicht nachweisbar sind. Die relativ langen Messzeiten für die Neutronentomografie werden durch den Betrieb der Zelle im angehaltenen Zustand realisierbar, sodass die dreidimensionale Wasserverteilung darstellbar wird.
CT (computed tomography) reconstructions of fuel cell components of a yet unrivaled spatial resolution and quality are presented. This is achieved by application of the novel DIRECTT (Direct Iterative Reconstruction of Computed Tomography Trajectories) algorithm. We focus on two different key issues which essentially rule the fuel cell's durability on different length scales and physical interactions. On the resolution scale of some 100 µm agglomerations of condensed water in flow-field channels are detected by means of quasi-in situ neutron CT (after operation). Five orders of magnitude below nanometer sized Ru catalyst particles on carbon black support are visualized by electron tomography. Both types of experiments are especially adapted to the type of material involved but they are accompanied by severe deviations from ideal CT measuring conditions, as well. In order to overcome the tremendous reconstruction artifacts of standard algorithms, we employ DIRECTT which is described in detail. Comparisons of DIRECTT reconstructions to the conventional filtered back projection, prove the significant improvements in both experimental methods.
Wir stellen eine Prozedur vor, mit der typische 'Missing Wedge' (MW)-Artefakte in CT-Rekonstruktionen effektiv unterdrückt werden können. Dazu wird der iterative DIRECTT-Algorithmus (Direkte Iterative Rekonstruktion Computertomographischer Trajektorien) mit einigen Zyklen diskreter Rekonstruktion eingesetzt. Die Kernfunktionen des Algorithmus', die wiederholte Auswahl und Gewichtung von Elementen einer Zwischenkonstruktion, werden beibehalten. Abgesehen von Sonderfällen der Röntgen- und Neutronentomographie tritt die MW-Restriktion (neben einer Vielzahl anderer) in Standardkonfigurationen der Elektronentomographie auf. Um den MW-Effekt isoliert zu untersuchen und beurteilen zu können, werden hier vollständige experimentelle Datensätze einer bekannten Porenstruktur um einen Sektor beschnitten sowie MW-Rekonstruktionen von Porenmodellen erzeugt. Die Ergebnisse werden mit zurzeit verbreiteten Algorithmen (Gefilterte Rückprojektion (FBP) und ART-Varianten) verglichen. Die Bewertung im Fourierraum zeigt, dass DIRECTT die fehlende Information im MW erfolgreich ergänzt. Zur quantitativen Bewertung der lokalen Rekonstruktionsqualität werden Methoden der räumlichen Statistik eingesetzt.