The electro-oxidation of H₂, CO in a model PEM fuel cell

Oscillations, chaos, pulses

authored by

Sebastian Kirsch, Richard Hanke-Rauschenbach, Bianka Stein, Ralf Kraume, Kai Sundmacher

Abstract

H₂, CO electro-oxidation in a model PEM Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is investigated at 37°C with the help of distributed current measurements. The main purpose of the experiments is to verify the formation of spatio-temporal patterns that have been predicted for a PEMFC with straight channels and a H₂ evolving cathode. For galvanostatic operation and a high feed flow rate well expressed globally coupled oscillations are found. For decreasing feed flow rate a period doubling bifurcation cascade appears. Potentiostatic control provokes the breakage of the strict phase relation between adjacent oscillators and the appearance of pulses as well as turbulence is seen. The turbulence is enhanced if an oxygen reducing cathode is introduced instead of a hydrogen evolving cathode. All the findings are compared to existing predictions. The study of the patterns is of interest for PEMFC engineers as they directly determine the CO tolerance behavior of the PEMFC.

External Organisation(s)

Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems
S++ Simulation Services
Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg

Type

Article

Journal

Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Volume

160

Pages

F436-F446

ISSN

0013-4651

Publication date

2013

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1149/2.002306jes (Access: Unknown)