Numerical Model of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Startup and Shutdown
Abstract
This paper presents a model aiming to simulate startups and shutdowns of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells, i.e. operation stages where a hydrogen-air front is propagating in the anode compartment from inlet to outlet. This 2D model is based on a 1D generic electrode model which kinetic and mass transport parameters were fitted by comparison with voltammograms, polarization curves and CO2 emissions. This simulation tool yields results that are very close to experimental data measured using a segmented cell. It can be used to better understand degradation mechanisms linked with hydrogen starvation events or to explore different mitigation strategies