Operation of PEM fuel cells with dry feeds

Auto-humidified (or self humidifying) PEMFC operation with the channel-less, self-draining fuel cell is demonstrated from 25 to 115°C at 1 and 3 atm. Current densities of > 1 A/cm2 at 0.6 V is achieved at 95°C with dry feeds. Fuel cells designed with conventional serpentine flow channels were not able to operate with dry feeds at temperatures above 50-60°C. Design and operating requirements are presented for auto-humidified operation. The channel-less self-draining design offers substantial benefits for simplicity of operation and control including: the ability to self drain reducing flooding, the ability to uniformly disperse water removing current gradients and the ability to operate on dry feeds eliminating the need for humidifiers.