Review of the Durability of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell in Long-Term Operation: Main Influencing Parameters and Testing Protocols

Durability is the most pressing issue preventing the efficient commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stationary and transportation applications. A big barrier to overcoming the durability limitations is gaining a better understanding of failure modes for user profiles. In addition, durability test protocols for determining the lifetime of PEMFCs are important factors in the development of the technology. These methods are designed to gather enough data about the cell/stack to understand its efficiency and durability without causing it to fail. They also provide some indication of the cell/stack’s age in terms of changes in performance over time. Based on a study of the literature, the fundamental factors influencing PEMFC long-term durability and the durability test protocols for both PEMFC stationary and transportation applications were discussed and outlined in depth in this review. This brief analysis should provide engineers and researchers with a fast overview as well as a useful toolbox for investigating PEMFC durability issues.

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Investigation into the gas diffusion electrodes of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell under long-term durability test

Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy ◽

10.1063/1.3328051 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 013110 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Masahiro Ide ◽

Hironosuke Ikeda

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Polymer Electrolyte ◽

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽

Gas Diffusion ◽

Gas Diffusion Electrodes ◽

Durability Test ◽

Electrolyte Membrane

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Investigation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell internal behaviour during long term operation and its use in prognostics

Journal of Power Sources ◽

10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.07.018 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 362 ◽

pp. 39-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Lei Mao ◽

Lisa Jackson ◽

Tom Jackson

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Polymer Electrolyte ◽

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽

Term Operation ◽

Electrolyte Membrane

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Experimental Study on Performance of a Banded Structure Membrane Fuel Cell

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology ◽

10.1115/1.3005385 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E. Ejiri ◽

K. Yamada

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Banded Structure ◽

Term Operation ◽

Electrolyte Membrane ◽

Basic Performance ◽

Internal Impedance ◽

Cell Module

The basic performance of a banded structure membrane fuel cell module (rated power of 90W), which consisted of 15 polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells laid out in a plane, was experimentally investigated. The results show that the module operated for a much longer time at an inclination angle, θ, of 90deg than at θ=0deg or 180deg, where it experienced a sudden power breakdown at the rated operating point. The output voltage and internal impedance of each cell in the module were specifically monitored over a long-term operation. Measurements were made of the temperature distribution of the entire module as well as of the oxygen concentration and relative humidity at a specific cell. Airflow near the cathode in a single cell was also visualized. It was concluded that the power breakdown was probably caused by flooding in the anode of one of the most downstream cells of the module.

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