A review of performance degradation and failure modes for hydrogen-fuelled polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Pratap Rama
Rui Chen
J.D. Andrews
2134/3948
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/A_review_of_performance_degradation_and_failure_modes_for_hydrogen-fuelled_polymer_electrolyte_fuel_cells/9227459
A qualitative account of the causes and effects of performance degradation and failure
in hydrogen-fuelled polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is given in the present review. The purpose
of the review is to establish a backbone understanding of the phenomenological processes
that occur within the PEFC, how they interact, how they are influenced through elements of
design, manufacturing and operation, and ultimately how they result in performance degradation
and cell failure. In the current work, 22 common faults are identified which are induced by 48
frequent causes. The major PEFC components considered here that are susceptible to faults are
the polymer electrolyte-based membrane, the anode and cathode catalyst layers, gas diffusion
and microporous layers, seals and the bipolar plate. Faults pertaining to these components can
cause irreversible increases in activation, mass transportation, ohmic and fuel efficiency losses,
or indeed cause catastrophic cell failure.
2008-11-11 10:04:07
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Hydrogen
Reliability
Performance degradation
Failure
Engineering not elsewhere classified