Publication

Experimental characterization methodology for the identification of voltage losses of PEMFC: applied to an open cathode stack

Journal Article (2012)

Journal

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Pages

7309-7315

Volume

37

Number

8

Doc link

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.11.130

File

Download the digital copy of the doc pdf document

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study is to describe the methodology used to isolate the main voltage loss indicators through a simple and effective treatment of a current interrupt and current sweep. The voltage loss indicators are activation polarization, mass transport, and ohmic losses. The indicators for these losses are the Tafel slope, mass transport resistance and ohmic resistance respectively. The use of this methodology to isolate the individual voltage losses works quite well. Even though there may be some inaccuracies, the trends can be clearly seen. This methodology can be used in any PEMFC system to monitor the state of health of the fuel cell. If this method were to be automated and implemented on a periodic basis, then an on-line measurement of the individual voltage losses could be monitored. The data analysis indicates that a major objective of the controller will be to minimize the mass transport losses by implementing proper temperature control.

Categories

automation, power system control.

Author keywords

activation losses, mass transport losses, ohmic losses, open cathode

Scientific reference

A.P. Husar, S. Strahl and J. Riera. Experimental characterization methodology for the identification of voltage losses of PEMFC: applied to an open cathode stack. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37(8): 7309-7315, 2012.