Dynamic and precise temperature control unit for PEMFC single-cell testing

Abstract

The performance and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells is sensitive to the operating temperature. In order to optimize the operation strategy of PEM fuel cells, it is essential to perform various stress tests within wide temperature ranges. Nevertheless, not all types of stress tests can be performed on the standard single-cells. For the low-temperature tests, an additional cooling device is needed, which is associated with high costs and long testing times. In this work, two high power temperature control units were developed. With the small-size (50 cm2) and automotive-size (285 cm2) designs, the PEM fuel cell tests at temperatures well below 0°C are possible with the temperature change rates of 80 K min−1. In addition to the high dynamics, the automotive design allows to set the temperature gradients over the active surface area. This offers the possibility to simulate different alteration effects, which can occur during normal operation and increases the comparability between the fuel cell single-cells and stacks.