Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

1. Using the Electrolyzer to Produce Hydrogen Gas

1. Setup the electrolyzer (Figure 3).
2. Set up the gas collection cylinders, making sure the distilled water level in the outer cylinder is at the 0 mark (Figure 4).
3. Connect the electrolyzer to the gas collection cylinders (Figure 5).
4. Connect a solar panel to the electrolyzer using jumper wires and expose to direct sunlight (Figure 6). Note, if the weather is not cooperating that day, use a lamp with a light bulb to simulate the sun.
5. H₂ and O₂ gas begins entering the inner cylinders (Figure 7). Monitor the volume of each gas produced in 30-s intervals, using the scale marked on the outer cylinder. It takes approximately 10 min to fill up the inner cylinder with H₂ gas. 
6. When the inner cylinder is completely full of H₂ gas, some bubbles should emerge from the inner cylinder, eventually reaching the surface. At this point, disconnect the solar panel from the electrolyzer and close the cincher on the H₂ gas tube, so none of the H₂ gas escapes. Notice there is twice as much hydrogen gas produced as oxygen gas, as predicted in the balanced chemical equation.

2. Fuel Cell

1. Setup a fuel cell (Figure 8).
2. Disconnect the H₂ gas tubing from the electrolyzer and connect it to the fuel cell.
3. Connect the fuel cell to a fan (or an LED light, if a fan is not available (Figure 9)) and release the cinch on the H₂ gas tube (Figure 10). The fan should begin spinning. If not, press the purge valve on the fuel cell to get the gas flowing.
4. The fan continues spinning until all of the H₂ gas is consumed. This should last approximately 5 min.

Figure 3: A picture of the electrolyzer.

Figure 4: Gas collection cylinders with distilled water levels equal to 0.

Figure 5: A picture of the electrolyzer connected to the gas collection cylinders.

Figure 6: The solar panel connected to the electrolyzer with jumper wires.

Figure 7: An example of the gas entering the cylinders.

Figure 8: A picture of a fuel cell.

Figure 9: The fuel cell connected to an LED light instead of a fan.

Figure 10: The electrolyzer connected with the fuel cell, which is connected with the fan.