Experimental study of the influence of dynamic load cycle and operating parameters on the durability of PEMFC. (15th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, Tiankuo; Xie, Meng; Yu, Yue; Wang, Baoyun; Yang, Daijun; Li, Bing; Ming, Pingwen; Zhang, Cunman
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 239:Part D(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-15
• Subjects: PEMFC stack -- Durability testing -- Dynamic load cycle -- Control strategy -- Degradation mechanism -- Polarization loss; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.122356
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Driving conditions and control strategies have closely been associated with proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) durability for vehicle applications. This study tests two identical 3-cell PEMFC stacks for both 1000 h under two dynamic load cycles with different load ranges and inconsistent operating parameters. We calculated and analyzed the attenuation of fuel cell performance under different dynamic load cycles. After 1000 h, the mean cell voltage degradation percentage under (Dynamic load cycles) DLC-01and DLC-02 at 1000 mA cm −2 were 5.90% and 5.67%, respectively. Compared to DLC-01, the voltage degradation percentages of DLC-02 under low current densities were significantly lower, particularly in the first 400 h period. The EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) revealed the evolution of the ohmic, charge transfer, and mass transport resistances. A more severe catalyst layer degradation was depicted by the significant increase of charge transfer resistance in the first 400 h under the DLC-01. An empirical formula was proposed to calculate the corresponding polarization losses quntitatively; this was key in distinguishing the source of different voltage loss. Collectively, this article uncovers the influence of the operating condition and control strategy on fuel cell durability. Highlights: We report durability testing of two identical 3-cell PEMFC stacks for both 1000 h. The synergistic effects of load ranges and operating parameters are analyzed. High potential plays an important role in the degradation of catalyst layer. The polarization losses are calculated quantitatively by empirical formula.