A review of performance degradation and failure modes for hydrogen-fuelled polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

DOI: 10.1243/09576509JPE603Abstract: 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.

Advanced reliability analysis of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells using Petri-Net analysis and fuel cell modelling techniques

“…This work extended the previous work by Rama, et al [8], fully outlining all of the failure modes and their effects in a PEMFC assembly.…”

“…Previous work includes a failure mode identification and FTA of a general PEMFC by Rama, et al [8]. Additionally, a more recent FTA work was presented by Placca & Kouta [9], looking at the failure modes that could cause PEMFC degradation.…”

Application of the Sensor Selection Approach in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Prognostics and Health Management

“…For this purpose, several model parameters critical to the fuel cell performance are selected based on previous studies of fuel cell failure modes and corresponding failure mechanisms [25][26][27]. From the results, three model parameters are determined, including membrane Energies 2017, 10, 1511 4 of 13 resistance, electrochemical surface area (ECSA), and liquid water inside the fuel cell; the variation in these parameters will cause different fuel cell failure modes.…”

Performance modelling of fuel cell systems through Petri nets

“…The authors review in detail the influence of operating conditions and parameters, concluding that gas flow rate, relative humidity, temperature and current density have a major effect on water balance. Rama et al [6] provide a structured review of the degradation processes occurring within PEM fuel cells and leading to performance losses and cell failures in the form of a failure modes and effect analysis. Although fault tree diagrams can provide a list of causes leading to cell degradation, this analysis technique is not capable to reproduce the complexity of the degradation mechanisms leading to performance loss.…”