Cell Performance Distribution in a PEMFC Stack during Contamination

St‐Pierre, Jean; Virji, Maheboob B.V.

doi:10.1149/05801.0555ecst

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…The selected contaminants belong to different classes of organic compounds and cover various functional groups, including alcohols, N-containing compounds, alkenes, alkynes, esters, aromatic rings and halides. As shown previously, all of them have serious negative impacts on Pt ECA and PEMFC performance [33][34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

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confidence: 59%

Study of acetylene poisoning of Pt cathode on proton exchange membrane fuel cell spatial performance using a segmented cell system

Reshetenko

St‐Pierre

2015

Journal of Power Sources

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Acetylene is a welding fuel and precursor for organic synthesis, which requires considering it to be a possible air pollutant. In this work, the spatial performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell exposed to 300 ppm C 2 H 2 and different operating currents was studied with a segmented cell system. The injection of C 2 H 2 resulted in a cell performance decrease and redistribution of segments' currents depending on the operating conditions. Performance loss was 20-50 mV at 0.1-0.2 A cm −2 and was accompanied by a rapid redistribution of localized currents. Acetylene exposure at 0.4-1.0 A cm −2 led to a sharp voltage decrease to 0.07-0.13 V and significant changes in current distribution during a transition period, when the cell reached a voltage of 0.55-0.6 V. A recovery of the cell voltage was observed after stopping the C 2 H 2 injection. Spatial electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data showed different segments' behavior at low and high currents. It was assumed that acetylene oxidation occurs at high cell voltage, while it reduces at low cell potential. A detailed analysis of the current density distribution, its correlation with EIS data and possible C 2 H 2 oxidation/reduction mechanisms are presented and discussed.

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confidence: 59%

Study of acetylene poisoning of Pt cathode on proton exchange membrane fuel cell spatial performance using a segmented cell system

Reshetenko

St‐Pierre

2015

Journal of Power Sources

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“…These compounds are widely used as solvents (CH 3 CN, i-C 3 H 8 OH), synthesis precursors in the chemical industry (C 2 H 2 , CH 3 C(CH 3 )COOCH 3 , C 3 H 6 , CH 3 CN), welding fuels (C 2 H 2 ), and fumigants (CH 3 Br, C 10 H 8 ). All seven contaminants have been found to cause serious PEMFC performance losses and have significant impacts on ORR [28,29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of the acetonitrile poisoning of platinum cathodes on proton exchange membrane fuel cell spatial performance using a segmented cell system

Reshetenko

St‐Pierre

2015

Journal of Power Sources

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Due to the wide applications of acetonitrile as a solvent in the chemical industry, acetonitrile can be present in the air and should be considered a possible pollutant. In this work, the spatial proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance exposed to air with 20 ppm CH 3 CN was studied using a segmented cell system. The injection of CH 3 CN led to performance losses of 380 mV at 0.2 A cm 2 and 290 mV at 1.0 A cm 2 accompanied by a significant change in the current density distribution. The observed local currents behavior is likely attributed to acetonitrile chemisorption and the subsequent two consecutive reduction/oxidation reactions. The hydrolysis of CH 3 CN and its intermediate imine species resulted in NH 4 + formation, which increased the high-frequency resistance of the cell and affected oxygen reduction and performance. Other products of hydrolysis can be oxidized to CO 2 under the operating conditions. The reintroduction of pure air completely recovered cell performance within 4 h at 1.0 A cm 2 , while at 0.2 A cm 2 the cell recovery was only partial. A detailed analysis of the current density distribution, its correlation with spatial electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data, possible CH 3 CN oxidation/reduction mechanisms and mitigation strategies are presented and discussed.

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“…The quantity of operating parameters increases for fuel cell stacks, number of cells and their interactions (3236), and leads to other contaminant effects (37,38). For instance, the temperature is uneven across a stack partly because end cells are cooler than the other cells owing to an additional heat transfer surface (32,36,39).…”

Section: Contaminant Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the mechanism is different and originates from an uneven flow (34) and contaminant concentration distributions causing a non-uniform cell performance distribution in comparison to an uncontaminated stack. These aspects are important for commercialization because locally weaker cells can trigger a system shut-down or accelerate aging processes that would also lead to a premature shut-down (37,38).…”

Section: Contaminant Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

PEMFC Contamination - Fundamentals and Outlook

et al. 2014

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Contamination of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is coming to the forefront as commercialization activities multiply and fuel cell systems are confronted to field conditions away from the controlled laboratory environment. The recent progress achieved in understanding the disruptive effects of contaminants is reviewed. The analysis is focused on contaminant effects, contaminant sources, mechanisms, mitigation strategies and knowledge gaps in all these areas. IntroductionAs the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) comes closer to reality, systems are taken out of the controlled laboratory environment with purified air and hydrogen reagents. The impact of foreign species is coming to the forefront because air quality is currently beyond our ability to control (1) and the cost of hydrogen is partly tied to its composition (2). A multitude of contaminants, impurities, poisons and inhibitors have already been characterized (3,4). However, many species remain to be identified including their deactivation mechanisms, preventive mitigation approaches and recovery procedures. Foreign species have the capability to harmfully disrupt the functions of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalysts, and the ion exchange polymer. Both of these membrane/electrode assembly materials are essential for PEMFC operation. The incumbent Pt ORR and HOR catalyst is poorly selective and thus has multiple uses (5) rendering it susceptible to deactivation (6,7). The present Nafion ion exchange polymer composed of perfluorovinyl ether groups terminated with sulfonate groups attached to a tetrafluoroethylene backbone, is also poorly selective and permeable to almost any species including gases, solvents and cations (813). The ionic conductivity and reactant permeability of the ionomer is smaller in the presence of foreign species (1417). The risk associated with many contaminant species left to be characterized is further compounded by the few organizations involved in such activities. Thus, many opportunities still remain to expand the knowledge base and enhance the commercialization potential of PEMFCs.Fundamentals aspects of PEMFC contamination are discussed with particular attention given to recent developments and existing knowledge gaps. This information is expected to facilitate the development of research and development programs focusing on the most urgent needs for a successful introduction of fuel cells into the market. The effects resulting from contamination are first described. The contaminants origins are 10.1149/06123.0001ecst ©The Electrochemical Society ECS Transactions, 61 (23) 1-14 (2014) 1 ) unless CC License in place (see abstract). ecsdl.org/site/terms_use address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see 131.215.225.9 Downloaded on 2015-06-19 to IPsubsequently discussed. The contamination mechanisms section which includes characterization methods provides a background for the last section about mitigation. PEMFC Contamination Contaminan...

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Cell Performance Distribution in a PEMFC Stack during Contamination

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

Study of acetylene poisoning of Pt cathode on proton exchange membrane fuel cell spatial performance using a segmented cell system

Study of acetylene poisoning of Pt cathode on proton exchange membrane fuel cell spatial performance using a segmented cell system

Study of the acetonitrile poisoning of platinum cathodes on proton exchange membrane fuel cell spatial performance using a segmented cell system

PEMFC Contamination - Fundamentals and Outlook

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