Inertization of PEM fuel cell by nitrogen generated using membrane gas separation module

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60461373%3A22310%2F19%3A43918337" target="_blank" >RIV/60461373:22310/19:43918337 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Inertization of PEM fuel cell by nitrogen generated using membrane gas separation module

Original language description

PEM fuel cells represents a promising device for efficient conversion of chemical energy carried by fuel into electrical energy. Performance and efficiency of the energy conversion depends on many aspects, like activity of catalyst, degree of its utilization, homogeneity of the fuel distribution, ohmic resistance of all components etc. Main part of ohmic resistance of fuel cell is determined by proton exchange membrane. Effort to reduce this loss leads to using as thin membrane as possible. Permeability of membrane to hydrogen, however, increases with decrease of its thickness. Permeation of hydrogen to the cathode compartment has, beside efficiency loss, also secondary negative effect. It consists in formation of aggressive species, especially inside catalytic layer, during fuel cell off period. This results in accelerated degradation processes. Solution of this problem represents cell inertization by an inert media during the switching off process. The gas traditionally used for fuel cell inertization is nitrogen. It can be stored in a high pressure cylinders integrated into the fuel cell system. Such solution, however, is demanding due to the several reasons, increased complexity and weight of the system to be mentioned as the main ones. At the same time, total volume of gas in cylinder is limited and sufficient just for a limited number of inertization cycles before replacement or refilling is required. It makes the process complicated also from the logistic point of view. An alternative solution represents production of nitrogen of sufficient purity on-site, preferably from air by means of membrane separation modules. In combination with corresponding air compressing unit it represents inexhaustible source of nitrogen. Unfortunately, the membrane module is not able to produce nitrogen at purity higher than 99.9 %. Residual oxygen represents main impurity in the produced nitrogen stream. Information available in literature on the impact of traces of oxygen in an inertization gas on the fuel cell lifetime and performance is, however, not sufficient. Main aim the present contribution is to determine impact of the oxygen content in an inertization nitrogen stream on commercial available MEA (SC-200, Horizon Fuel cell) lifetime. Accelerated test used to obtain information on this aspect consists of 1 thousand “switch on – load for 30 minutes – switch of” cycles. Impact of nitrogen containing 0 to 20 % of oxygen was studied

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10405 - Electrochemistry (dry cells, batteries, fuel cells, corrosion metals, electrolysis)

Project

<a href="/en/project/VI20152019018" target="_blank" >VI20152019018: Development and realization of autonomous DC power supply with hydrogen fuel cell</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2019

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů