Researchers have made remarkable progress in comprehending the correlation between hydrogen partial pressure and the efficacy of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in a recent study. These findings have the potential to revolutionize the quality testing of fuel cells by simplifying processes, reducing costs, and improving safety precautions. The study was published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials.
Felix Haimerl from BMW AG explained their objective of significantly reducing costs for quality testing of PEM fuel cells through innovative strategies that eliminate the use of pure hydrogen. Testing quality at lower hydrogen concentrations in the anode stream can also lower safety requirements and reduce the costs associated with testing stations.
The research team initially investigated the influence of reduced hydrogen partial pressures on the performance of PEM fuel cells. Their analysis revealed deviations on the anode side and an overall decrease in electrochemical efficiency.
PEM fuel cells operate on the principle of electrochemical conversion, utilizing hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, with heat and water as the only byproducts. Their exceptional efficiency, surpassing 50%, makes them an attractive option for diverse applications as this efficiency is maintained across various operating conditions. PEM fuel cells also present a clean and promising alternative to fossil fuel combustion in numerous transportation applications.
As the industry transitions from the development phase to mass production of PEMFCs, establishing stable and cost-effective manufacturing processes becomes increasingly crucial. One significant challenge is the stringent quality testing that fuel cells must undergo. Currently, state-of-the-art quality control procedures mainly rely on hydrogen operation, which raises safety concerns and contributes to the high costs associated with testing stations.
One possible solution to mitigate these issues is by implementing testing procedures at reduced hydrogen partial pressures. However, the impact of reduced hydrogen partial pressure on fuel cell performance, particularly on the cathode side, has been a subject of limited exploration.
To shed light on this matter, Haimerl and colleagues conducted research to investigate the effect of reduced hydrogen partial pressure on fuel cell performance. Their study involved comprehensive experiments, including recording polarization curves and impedance spectra across a wide range of hydrogen partial pressure levels, varying from 36 kPa to 190 kPa. Through diluting the hydrogen stream with nitrogen while maintaining a constant hydrogen flow, the researchers were able to separate the influences of hydrogen partial pressure from hydrogen starvation effects.
The results revealed a substantial decline in PEMFC performance as hydrogen partial pressure decreased, with this effect becoming more pronounced at higher current densities. Analysis of the impedance spectra provided insights into the mechanisms underlying the performance decline. To interpret the impedance data, the researchers introduced an equivalent circuit model, which demonstrated excellent agreement with the experimental results.
This equivalent circuit model revealed an exponential relationship between charge transfer resistance at the anode and hydrogen partial pressure.
The study represents a significant breakthrough in comprehending the impact of hydrogen partial pressure on PEMFC performance. The researchers aim to utilize the knowledge gained to further evaluate the application of low hydrogen partial pressures in quality testing.
Haimerl added that they are currently conducting experiments on faulty fuel cells to determine if typical faults can be detected at reduced hydrogen concentrations. Ultimately, the findings from these experiments may pave the way for simplifying fuel cell quality testing, reducing costs, and lowering safety requirements.
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