Patent ID: 6454922
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A corrosion test cell for testing a bipolar plate, comprising:(a) an anode and an anode current collector in electrical communication with said anode; (b) an anode chamber containing said anode and anode current collector; (c) a cathode and a cathode current collector in electrical communication with said cathode; (d) a cathode chamber containing said cathode and cathode current collector; (e) electrolyte solution comprising an aqueous acid; (f) an anode electrolyte solution reservoir chamber for receiving said electrolyte solution and in fluid communication with said anode chamber; (g) a cathode electrolyte solution reservoir chamber for receiving said electrolyte solution and in fluid communication with said cathode chamber; (h) a first reference electrode at least partially submerged into the anode reservoir solution; (i) a second reference electrode at least partially submerged into the cathode reservoir solution; (j) means for introducing reducing gas into the anode chamber and for removing it from the test cell; (k) means for introducing oxidizing gas into the cathode chamber and for removing it from the test cell; (l) means for circulating electrolyte solution from said anode electrolyte solution reservoir into said anode chamber and from said anode chamber into said anode electrolyte solution reservoir; (m) means for circulating electrolyte solution from said cathode electrolyte solution reservoir into said cathode chamber and from said cathode chamber into said cathode electrolyte solution reservoir; and (n) a bipolar plate to be tested, said plate having a first surface in contact with said electrolyte solution and said reducing gas, said plate having a second surface in contact with said electrolyte solution and said oxidizing gas.