On the positive effect of CO during start/stop in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

The influence of CO in the fuel gas on cathode carbon corrosion during start/stop cycles in high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (HT-PEFC) was investigated. The fuel cell underwent simulated start/stop cycles with a constant time interval, reactant gas flow rate and temperature by switching between H2/CO mixtures and O2 at the fuel electrode. The results reveal that increasing amounts of CO in the fuel gas reduce the amount of carbon corrosion at the air electrode. Therefore, HT-PEFC operation with CO containing fuel has the benefit of mitigating start/stop induced degradation effects. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by ECS.