Development of a Heuristic Control Algorithm for Detection and Regeneration of CO Poisoned LT-PEMFC Stacks in Stationary Applications

Abstract

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems based on low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (LT-PEMFC) technology are suspected to CO poisoning on the anode side. The fuel cell CO sensitivity increases with ongoing operation time leading to high performance losses. In this paper we present the development of detection and regeneration algorithm based on air bleed to minimize voltage losses due to CO poisoning. Therefore, CO sensitivity tests with two short stacks with different operation time will be analyzed and the test results of aged membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) will be presented for the first time. Additionally, the first results of the algorithm in operation will be shown.

Keywords

• CO poisoning
• LT-PEMFC
• regeneration
• air bleed
• short stack
• CO detection