Experimental Investigation of the Influence of NO on a PEM Fuel Cell System and Voltage Recovery Strategies

Peter Reithuber*, Florian Poimer, Stefan Brandstätter, Eberhard Schutting, Simon Buchberger, Alexander Trattner, Helmut Eichlseder

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Air contaminants can have detrimental effects on the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell vehicles. This research focuses on the experimental investigation of the effect of nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the cathode gas stream, which provokes a cell voltage decrease due to the partially reversible adsorption of NO on the platinum catalyst. The concentration and exposure time of NO in the cathode gas stream are varied at selected constant current densities and load ramps to assess the effects throughout the fuel cell system operating range. The results show the cell voltage loss in the presence of NO and reveal a near-catalyst saturation with increased injected NO mass. Additionally, several voltage recovery and mitigation strategies are introduced and discussed by presenting conclusions about the general effect of NO on a fuel cell system in operation. The most promising recovery strategy for fuel cell systems is identified, and the overall system degradation is discussed. All experiments are performed in a test bed environment on a 25 kW low-temperature fuel cell system via controlled injection of NO into the cathode gas stream.
Original languageEnglish
Article number3720
JournalEnergies
Volume16
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 May 2023

Keywords

  • catalyst poisoning
  • critical operating conditions
  • hydrogen
  • irreversible degradation
  • mitigation strategies
  • NO
  • PEM fuel cell
  • reversible degradation
  • voltage loss
  • voltage recovery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Optimization
  • Energy (miscellaneous)
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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