Modelling Carbon Corrosion during a PEMFC Startup: Simulation of Mitigation Strategies

Bolahaga Randrianarizafy, Pascal Schott, Mathias Gerard and Yann Bultel
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Bolahaga Randrianarizafy: LITEN, CEA, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38054 Grenoble, France
Pascal Schott: LITEN, CEA, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38054 Grenoble, France
Mathias Gerard: LITEN, CEA, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38054 Grenoble, France
Yann Bultel: LEPMI, Grenoble INP, CNRS, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, F-38000 Grenoble, France

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: This paper presents a study of the carbon support corrosion and mitigation strategies through the use of a pseudo-3D model. This model consists in coupling a 2D model along the channel with another model perpendicular to the flow at the rib/channel scale. Simulations offer a deeper understanding of the corrosion through the analysis of the local conditions. Rib/channel heterogeneities show the higher degradation in the zones facing the anodic rib. These results are validated qualitatively on literature data by analysis of SEM images and carbon dioxide concentration at the cathode outlet. Three mitigation strategies are studied using the model. The first one consists in speeding up the hydrogen filling of the cell. The second strategy involves an external electrical resistance to create a current leak during the startup. Third, a design study of the rib/channel is performed to minimize the cathode degradation. Whatever the mitigation strategy, it consists in reducing either the duration or the magnitude of the high cathode electrode potential.

Keywords: PEM fuel cell; modeling; carbon corrosion; mitigation strategies; multiphysics simulations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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