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Impact of Air Contaminants on Subscale Single Fuel Cells and an Automotive Short Stack







Author(s)

Anja Talke, Ulrich Misz, Gerhard Konrad and Angelika Heinzel

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2223/2015.02.003

In order to achieve a successful market introduction of series fuel-cell vehicles, detailed knowledge about the impact of external influences on the fuel cell, in particular the cathode catalyst must be appropriated. Common air contaminants cause power loss, decreasing lifetime or a complete MEA (membrane electrode assembly) failure. To get a data basis for further decisions in handling with noxious gases, the influences of air contaminants on PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell) have been analyzed extensively under automotive operating conditions using a subscale single cell and a full scale short stack. First, the experiments were performed with a single cell, active area of 45.14 cm², straight flow channels and a loading of 0.4 mg cm^-2 Pt/C at cathode side. Subsequently, similar experiments were carried out with a ten-cell stack. This stack was different from the single cell due to a modified flow field, larger active area of 300 cm² and the gas distribution. Hence, it is closer to the real application. The results generated with the single cell indicated significant degradation but as well the possibility of regeneration. The currently performed analyzes with a short stack shows differences in degradation behavior in comparison to the single cell. In general the single cell showed a higher sensitivity to air pollutants mainly due to a higher mass of injected pollutant. But in case of constant voltage mode the short stack exhibited an increased sensitivity because of the specific control of the test bench. These outcomes reveal the necessity of stack tests to provide application-oriented reliable results.

Fuel cell, air contaminants, NOx, automotive applications, short stack, PEMFC.