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Analysis of the Failure Modes in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Cold-Start Process—Anode Dehydration or Cathode Pore Blockage

Author

Listed:
  • Lei Yao

    (AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Fangfang Ma

    (AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Jie Peng

    (AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Jianbo Zhang

    (School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Yangjun Zhang

    (School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Jianpeng Shi

    (Dongfeng Motor Corporation Technical Center, Wuhan 430056, China)

Abstract

In this study, the cold-start failure processes of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell have been investigated numerically for different initial membrane water content λ 0 and the startup current densities I 0 . The result shows that the failure of the cell cold-start process is mostly attributed to the anode dehydration when the cell operates with relatively large current density. However, the failure is dominated by the cathode pore blockage when the cell starts with relatively high initial membrane water content. Corresponding maps for the classification of startup failure modes are plotted on the λ 0 − I 0 plane with different startup temperatures. Three zones, including the anode dehydration, the cathode pore blockage, and the ambiguous region, can be observed. They can be distinguished with different startup failure mechanisms. The anode dehydration zone is expanded as the cell startup temperature drops due to the weakening of the membrane water back-diffusion ability. In the ambiguous region, the startup failure phenomena may be either anode dehydration or cathode pore blockage, which depends on the stochastic freezing process of the supercooled water.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Yao & Fangfang Ma & Jie Peng & Jianbo Zhang & Yangjun Zhang & Jianpeng Shi, 2020. "Analysis of the Failure Modes in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Cold-Start Process—Anode Dehydration or Cathode Pore Blockage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:256-:d:305233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huo, Sen & Jiao, Kui & Park, Jae Wan, 2019. "On the water transport behavior and phase transition mechanisms in cold start operation of PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 776-788.
    2. Ko, Johan & Ju, Hyunchul, 2012. "Comparison of numerical simulation results and experimental data during cold-start of polymer electrolyte fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 364-374.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gießgen, Tom & Jahnke, Thomas, 2023. "Assisted cold start of a PEMFC with a thermochemical preheater: A numerical study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    2. Xiaokang Yang & Jiaqi Sun & Guang Jiang & Shucheng Sun & Zhigang Shao & Hongmei Yu & Fangwei Duan & Yingxuan Yang, 2021. "Experimental Study on Critical Membrane Water Content of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells for Cold Storage at −50 °C," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Yang, Liu & Cao, Chenxi & Gan, Quanquan & Pei, Hao & Zhang, Qi & Li, Ping, 2022. "Revealing failure modes and effect of catalyst layer properties for PEM fuel cell cold start using an agglomerate model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).

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