Modeling of Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells Applied to 3D Simulation

Clemens Fink; Joel Mata Edjokola; Marijo Telenta; Merit Bodner

Abstract

The durability of fuel cell stacks is a crucial topic on their way to commercialization. The most sensitive component of the PEM fuel cell is the cathode catalyst layer, since the catalyst material (usually platinum) and its support (usually carbon) are highly sensitive to potential, temperature and humidity changes which occur permanently during the fuel cell operation. The following degradation mechanisms are associated with the catalyst particles and their support:
• Carbon support corrosion, carbon oxidation, platinum oxidation
• Platinum dissolution and redeposition
• Particle detachment and agglomeration
In this work, an electrochemical model for above mentioned degradation effects is presented. The model is implemented in a commercial CFD code. Simulation results on a three-serpentine channel PEM fuel cell with an active area of 25 centimeter square are compared to measurements under various temperatures and humidities. The experimental data are obtained with a segmented test cell from S++ (Germany) and a G60 PEM fuel cell test station from Greenlight (Canada) using respective degradation protocols and test conditions proposed by the US Department of Energy.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 4 Jul 2023
Event	European Fuel Cell Forum 2023: Low-Temp. Fuel Cells, Electrolysers & H2 Processing: EFCF 2023 - Lucerne, Switzerland Duration: 4 Jul 2023 → 7 Jul 2023

Conference

Conference	European Fuel Cell Forum 2023: Low-Temp. Fuel Cells, Electrolysers & H2 Processing
Abbreviated title	EFCF
Country/Territory	Switzerland
City	Lucerne
Period	4/07/23 → 7/07/23

Fields of Expertise

Mobility & Production

Treatment code (Nähere Zuordnung)

Theoretical
Experimental
Application

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

AlpeDHues - Aging analysis and performance optimization of fuel cells during highly dynamic operation
Bodner, M. (Co-Investigator (CoI)), Hacker, V. (Co-Investigator (CoI)) & Edjokola, J. M. (Co-Investigator (CoI))
1/01/22 → 30/06/25
Project: Research project

Cite this

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title = "Modeling of Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells Applied to 3D Simulation",

abstract = "The durability of fuel cell stacks is a crucial topic on their way to commercialization. The most sensitive component of the PEM fuel cell is the cathode catalyst layer, since the catalyst material (usually platinum) and its support (usually carbon) are highly sensitive to potential, temperature and humidity changes which occur permanently during the fuel cell operation. The following degradation mechanisms are associated with the catalyst particles and their support:• Carbon support corrosion, carbon oxidation, platinum oxidation• Platinum dissolution and redeposition• Particle detachment and agglomerationIn this work, an electrochemical model for above mentioned degradation effects is presented. The model is implemented in a commercial CFD code. Simulation results on a three-serpentine channel PEM fuel cell with an active area of 25 centimeter square are compared to measurements under various temperatures and humidities. The experimental data are obtained with a segmented test cell from S++ (Germany) and a G60 PEM fuel cell test station from Greenlight (Canada) using respective degradation protocols and test conditions proposed by the US Department of Energy.",

author = "Clemens Fink and Edjokola, {Joel Mata} and Marijo Telenta and Merit Bodner",

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TY - CONF

T1 - Modeling of Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells Applied to 3D Simulation

AU - Fink, Clemens

AU - Edjokola, Joel Mata

AU - Telenta, Marijo

AU - Bodner, Merit

PY - 2023/7/4

Y1 - 2023/7/4

N2 - The durability of fuel cell stacks is a crucial topic on their way to commercialization. The most sensitive component of the PEM fuel cell is the cathode catalyst layer, since the catalyst material (usually platinum) and its support (usually carbon) are highly sensitive to potential, temperature and humidity changes which occur permanently during the fuel cell operation. The following degradation mechanisms are associated with the catalyst particles and their support:• Carbon support corrosion, carbon oxidation, platinum oxidation• Platinum dissolution and redeposition• Particle detachment and agglomerationIn this work, an electrochemical model for above mentioned degradation effects is presented. The model is implemented in a commercial CFD code. Simulation results on a three-serpentine channel PEM fuel cell with an active area of 25 centimeter square are compared to measurements under various temperatures and humidities. The experimental data are obtained with a segmented test cell from S++ (Germany) and a G60 PEM fuel cell test station from Greenlight (Canada) using respective degradation protocols and test conditions proposed by the US Department of Energy.

AB - The durability of fuel cell stacks is a crucial topic on their way to commercialization. The most sensitive component of the PEM fuel cell is the cathode catalyst layer, since the catalyst material (usually platinum) and its support (usually carbon) are highly sensitive to potential, temperature and humidity changes which occur permanently during the fuel cell operation. The following degradation mechanisms are associated with the catalyst particles and their support:• Carbon support corrosion, carbon oxidation, platinum oxidation• Platinum dissolution and redeposition• Particle detachment and agglomerationIn this work, an electrochemical model for above mentioned degradation effects is presented. The model is implemented in a commercial CFD code. Simulation results on a three-serpentine channel PEM fuel cell with an active area of 25 centimeter square are compared to measurements under various temperatures and humidities. The experimental data are obtained with a segmented test cell from S++ (Germany) and a G60 PEM fuel cell test station from Greenlight (Canada) using respective degradation protocols and test conditions proposed by the US Department of Energy.

M3 - Abstract

T2 - European Fuel Cell Forum 2023: Low-Temp. Fuel Cells, Electrolysers & H2 Processing

Y2 - 4 July 2023 through 7 July 2023

ER -