Proton exchange membrane fuel cell contamination model: Competitive adsorption followed by a surface segregated electrochemical reaction leading to an irreversibly adsorbed product

St‐Pierre, Jean

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.04.011

Cited by 25 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…As these contaminants mainly affected the catalyst and there was little coupled phenomena of catalyst and ionomer poisoning. For these compounds a similar fit would be obtained if using the model presented by St-Pierre et al 24,26 In contrast, poisoning with 2,6-DAT was more gradual and complete recovery was not observed with this compound (irreversible).…”

Section: Model Descriptionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…NH 3 and metal cations). 8,18,19 Several models are available that capture kinetic [24][25][26] and ohmic overpotentials [18][19][20]27,28 during the contamination and recovery studies.Although there has been a lot of research on contamination caused by fuel and air side impurities, the effect of contamination originating from system components have only recently been briefly studied. …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…26 It has been demonstrated that even trace amounts of impurities can severely poison the anode, membrane, and cathode, particularly at low-temperature operation. 4 These contaminants impact PEMFC performance by hindering kinetics (e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of System Contaminants on the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Mehrabadi

Dinh

Bender

et al. 2016

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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The performance loss and recovery of the fuel cell due to Balance of Plant (BOP) contaminants was identified via a combination of experimental data and a mathematical model. The experiments were designed to study the influence of organic contaminants (e.g. those from BOP materials) on the resistance of the catalyst, ionomer and membrane, and a mathematical model was developed that allowed us to separate these competing resistances from the data collected on an operating fuel cell. For this reason, based on the functional groups, four organic contaminants found in BOP materials, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGMEE), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (DGMEA), benzyl alcohol (BzOH) and 2,6-diaminotoluene (2,6-DAT) were infused separately to the cathode side of the fuel cell. The cell voltage and high frequency impedance resistance was measured as a function of time. The contaminant feed was then discontinued and voltage recovery was measured. It was determined that compounds with ion exchange properties like 2,6-DAT can cause voltage loss with non-reversible recovery, so this compound was studied in more detail. The degree of voltage loss increased with an increase in concentration, and/or infusion time, and increased with a decrease in catalyst loadings. The major technical challenges for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in general are performance, reliability, durability and cost. There is an opportunity to reduce overall system cost by choosing lower cost balance of plant (BOP) materials for PEMFC systems. However, choosing any new system BOP material (e.g., assembly aids, structural plastics, and hoses) without compromising function, fuel cell performance, or life requires understanding the effects of the contaminants that leach from these materials. The contaminants in a fuel cell system originate from the fuel, air, and the different component materials used in construction.Previous studies 1-28 have reported on the effect of contamination on PEMFCs by impurities found in the fuel, fuel-cell components, or the external environment such as carbon monoxide (CO), 8,9 26 It has been demonstrated that even trace amounts of impurities can severely poison the anode, membrane, and cathode, particularly at low-temperature operation.4 These contaminants impact PEMFC performance by hindering kinetics (e.g. CO and H 2 S) or reducing membrane conductivity (e.g. NH 3 and metal cations). 8,18,19 Several models are available that capture kinetic [24][25][26] and ohmic overpotentials [18][19][20]27,28 during the contamination and recovery studies.Although there has been a lot of research on contamination caused by fuel and air side impurities, the effect of contamination originating from system components have only recently been briefly studied. 29-35These results showed that despite the contamination caused by fuel and air side impurities that can effect only the catalyst (e.g., CO) or the membrane (e.g. metal cations), organic contaminants (e.g., those from BOP materials) can have severe effect...

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Section: Model Descriptionsupporting

confidence: 64%

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confidence: 99%

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Effect of System Contaminants on the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Mehrabadi

Dinh

Bender

et al. 2016

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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“…10 with the assumptions that the foreign neutral species X only affects the ionomer conductivity and the cell voltage is controlled, is reworked as: [11] Eq. 11 is consistent with the other similarly derived generic models (3,4,6,7). Other operating conditions are assumed to be either kept constant (stoichiometry, relative humidity) or controlled within a narrow range (temperature, pressure (21)) to maintain a constant water balance (22) and transport parameter values (diffusion coefficient).…”

Section: Model Assumptionssupporting

confidence: 63%

PEMFC Contamination Model: Neutral Species Sorption by Ionomer

St‐Pierre

2011

ECS Trans.

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A mathematical and transient model was developed for the case of a neutral species penetrating an ionomer. It is assumed that transport in the gas or liquid water phases is rate determining. A limited number of equations are used to ensure that the model has an analytic solution. These equations include Fick's first law, a distribution of the neutral species between the gas/liquid phases and the ionomer phase described by a separation factor, a neutral species in the ionomer mass balance, an empirical relationship between the ionomer conductivity and the equivalent foreign neutral species mole fraction in the ionomer phase, and a cell voltage balance. Both separation factor and conductivity relations were experimentally validated. The model solution shows that the dimensionless current density reaches a steady state, recovery is eventually complete after removing the contaminant source, and, contamination and recovery time scales are equal.

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“…10 This is especially important for predictive purposes and the accurate determination of contaminant tolerance limits for the air intake. [11][12][13] Furthermore, two technology trends are particularly relevant to the scavenging effect of liquid water. Membranes are currently being developed for higher temperatures and drier reactant streams to optimize fuel cell systems (humidifier removal, more efficient heat removal, etc).…”

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confidence: 99%

Liquid Water Scavenging of PEMFC Contaminants

St‐Pierre

Wetton

Zhai

et al. 2014

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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Models were derived for the scavenging effect of product liquid water on airborne proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) contaminants. A time scale analysis of contaminant mass transfer processes, product water accumulation in the gas diffusion electrode, and dissociation reactions indicated that the contaminant saturates the product liquid water simplifying model derivation. The baseline model only accounts for contaminant solubility. A multi-scale extension to this model was derived for the presence of contaminant dissociation reactions within the product liquid water using SO 2 as a model contaminant. The extended model demonstrates the large impact of dissociation reactions at low SO 2 concentrations. For both models, explicit expressions for the average gas phase contaminant concentration within the fuel cell were also derived and can be used as a surrogate for the effective contaminant concentration to correlate the fuel cell performance loss and facilitate the definition of tolerance limits and filtering equipment. The model was validated using a non-operating PEMFC. The water was transferred from the anode to the cathode by thermo-osmosis. Model contaminants, methanol and SO 2 , were injected with an inert carrier gas to avoid reactions. The PEMFC, a cleaner alternative power generating device, still requires durability improvements to replace the incumbent internal combustion engine in automotive applications.1,2 Degradation is partly due to contaminant ingress because the system is open to the ambient atmosphere, 3 the air filter is imperfect and lets gaseous species seep through the unit 4 and the air filter is subject to failure. 5 Contamination has also been linked to water management. 6,7 However, the scavenging effect of the product liquid water on the numerous 8 and in some cases soluble, gaseous contaminant species 9 has not been studied. 10This is especially important for predictive purposes and the accurate determination of contaminant tolerance limits for the air intake. 11-13Furthermore, two technology trends are particularly relevant to the scavenging effect of liquid water. Membranes are currently being developed for higher temperatures and drier reactant streams to optimize fuel cell systems (humidifier removal, more efficient heat removal, etc). 14,15 Anion exchange membranes have also attracted interest to reduce Pt catalyst costs with the use of cheaper noble metals or nonnoble metals. 16 In anion exchange membrane fuel cells, the water is produced on the anode rather than the cathode 16 and the transport of water by electro-osmotic drag is directed toward the anode rather than the cathode.17 Therefore, drier conditions are expected in the cathode compartment. Current technology trends thus indicate that contamination will be more severe for soluble species because the presence of liquid water in the cathode compartment will be significantly reduced.Pollutant scavenging by rain drops 18-27 and gas absorbers 28 such as spray towers, 29-32 packed columns 33,34 and cables bundle conta...

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Proton exchange membrane fuel cell contamination model: Competitive adsorption followed by a surface segregated electrochemical reaction leading to an irreversibly adsorbed product

Cited by 25 publications

References 47 publications

Effect of System Contaminants on the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Effect of System Contaminants on the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

PEMFC Contamination Model: Neutral Species Sorption by Ionomer

Liquid Water Scavenging of PEMFC Contaminants

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