Application of an Ageing Model to a Hydrogen-Fuelled PEM Fuel Cell

Abstract

Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy vectors for achieving the decarbonization of the propulsion systems market. Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell system (PEMFCs) stand out in this panorama, thanks to reduced activation times and low temperatures of use, easily adapting to the needs of the sector. In this paper, a multi-phase, multi-component and non-isothermal 3D-CFD model is proposed to simulate the effects of PEMFC ageing, limiting the system durability due to slow membrane corrosion and loss of material performance and properties degradation, resulting in a reduced current density under equal voltage. The model is applied both in 1D and 3D frameworks implementing a validated model from literature, allowing to estimate the useful life of the cell as a function of parameters such as the degradation rate and the crossover rate. Simulations are carried out at different membrane thicknesses and for different membrane conductivities, using a hydrogen-fuelled serpentine-type PEM fuel cell. The study relevance lies in the possibility to investigate the critical aspects limiting PEMFC system durability, as well as the optimal conditions of use, and it allows to identify corrective design actions.