Characteristic Curves of the Electrolyser
Name:
huan yuan chen
Student ID
Experimental layout
ma410213
 Vary the light intensity to adjust the current of the solar module. Set different current value, starting at
small currents of approx. 30 mA and going up to approx. 800 mA (depending on the type of lamp used;
with DC power supply up to about 3 amps). Also record the electrolyser’s voltage. Take at least 8 pairs of
measurements of electrolysis current and voltage and record the measurements.
Table of measurements
Voltage V
Current mA
0.63
0.05
0.72
0.1
0.983
0.2
1.254
0.3
1.353
0.35
1.553
0.45
1.728
0.6
1.818
0.7
1.986
0.8
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Evaluation
 Draw the VI characteristic curve of the electrolyser.
V
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
I
 Interpret the IV characteristic curve.
由上圖取曲線得知，光線越強太陽能板所產生的電壓越大
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Characteristic Curves of the Fuel Cell
Connected in parallel and in series
Fuel cells connected in parallel
Fuel cells connected in series
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 Adjust the rotary switch on the load module to “OPEN”.
 Make sure that both of the electrolyser’s gas storage cylinders are filled with distilled water up to the 0 ml
mark.
 Use the tube clips to close the two short tubes at the gas outlets of the fuel cell.
 Interrupt the connection between the solar module and the electrolyser when the 60 ml mark is reached
on the hydrogen side of the electrolyser.
 Measure the characteristic curve of the fuel cell by varying the measurement resistance (rotary switch on
the load module).Start at position “OPEN” (open-circuit voltage), then decrease the resistance step by
step by turning the rotary switch to the right. Record the current and voltage and each switch position.
Wait for 30 seconds each time before taking the measurement.
 After recording the characteristic curve, reset the rotary switch on the load module to “OPEN” and
remove the clip at the fuel cell.
Table of measurements (connected in parallel)
Resistance Ω
Voltage V
Current mA
Power mW
100
0.819
0.007
0.005733
50
0.806
0.016
0.012896
20
0.786
0.038
0.029868
10
0.765
0.073
0.055845
5
0.733
0.141
0.103353
3
0.716
0.182
0.130312
2
0.682
0.258
0.175956
1
0.342
0.266
0.090972
0.5
0.211
0.272
0.057392
0.3
0.182
0.292
0.053144
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Evaluation
 Draw the VI characteristic curve of the fuel cells connected in parallel.
 Enter the voltage and current of the lamp into the VI characteristic curve.
V
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
I
 Interpret the characteristic curve.
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Table of measurements (connected in series)
Resistance Ω
Voltage V
Current mA
Power mW
100
0.017
1.738
0.029546
50
0.035
1.682
0.05887
20
0.078
1.600
0.1248
10
0.147
1.507
0.221529
5
0.151
0.744
0.112344
3
0.149
0.549
0.081801
2
0.158
0.384
0.060672
1
0.149
0.184
0.027416
0.5
0.156
0.104
0.016224
0.3
0.147
0.081
0.011907
Evaluation
 Draw a diagram of the characteristic curves for the fuel cells connected in series and parallel and compare
the two curves.
V
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
I
 Draw the PI diagrams for the fuel cells connected in series and parallel. Calculate the power consumption
of the lamp and enter the values into the PI diagrams.
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