Current density operation conditions

The various challenges of the improvement in the ORR activity and the durability have been advancing by means of alloying, formation of Pt skin layers, and core-shell preparation methods. Approaches based on non-precious metals are proceeding as well. In addition, the further optimization of the thin CL structure by use of new, durable support materials (e.g., graphitized carbon blacks and conductive ceramic supports) should help to improve the effectiveness of Pt and the durability, as well as specific gas transport problems in the CL under high current density operating conditions. 

If all responses to these tests are linear and typical, and all other independent variables remain within normal operating specifications, it can be assumed that the membrane and electrolyser interactions are optimised for operation within the current density range tested in Section 6.3.1. This procedure has been used successfully to diagnose and optimise operating conditions for both standard and high current density operations where unexpected performance issues have arisen. Furthermore, operators... 

This is an area of much practical importance for research and development in electrolyzer technology more work is currently required for elucidation of the behavior of high-area porous and composite electrode materials with regard especially to the values of Tafel slope and conditions under which low b values can be achieved for H2, O2, and CI2 evolution reactions, thus minimizing activation overpotential energy losses in high current-density operations. 

Low current density operation is of particular concern for PEM fuel cell durability. There are two key stressors that become more important under low current density. The first is increased cell voltage, e.g. >0.8 V, providing increased electrochemical energy for degradation mechanisms. The second is associated with the fact that the cell design may be optimized for high-power conditions, wherein operation at... 

High current density is generally a less degrading condition than low current density due to the reduced cell voltage. However, high current density operation is... 

The porous electrodes in PEFCs are bonded to the surface of the ion-exchange membranes which are 0.12- to 0.25-mm thick by pressure and at a temperature usually between the glass-transition temperature and the thermal degradation temperature of the membrane. These conditions provide the necessary environment to produce an intimate contact between the electrocatalyst and the membrane surface. The early PEFCs contained Nafton membranes and about 4 mg/cm of Pt black in both the cathode and anode. Such electrode/membrane combinations, using the appropriate current coUectors and supporting stmcture in PEFCs and water electrolysis ceUs, are capable of operating at pressures up to 20.7 MPa (3000 psi), differential pressures up to 3.5 MPa (500 psi), and current densities of 2000 m A/cm. ... 

As can be seen from Eigure 11b, the output voltage of a fuel cell decreases as the electrical load is increased. The theoretical polarization voltage of 1.23 V/cell (at no load) is not actually realized owing to various losses. Typically, soHd polymer electrolyte fuel cells operate at 0.75 V/cell under peak load conditions or at about a 60% efficiency. The efficiency of a fuel cell is a function of such variables as catalyst material, operating temperature, reactant pressure, and current density. At low current densities efficiencies as high as 75% are achievable. 

The resulting overall energy balance for the plant at nominal load conditions is shown in Table 3. The primary combustor operates at 760 kPa (7.5 atm) pressure the equivalence ratio is 0.9 the heat loss is about 3.5%. The channel operates in the subsonic mode, in a peak magnetic field of 6 T. AH critical electrical and gas dynamic operating parameters of the channel are within prescribed constraints the magnetic field and electrical loading are tailored to limit the maximum axial electrical field to 2 kV/m, the transverse current density to 0.9 A/cm , and the Hall parameter to 4. The diffuser pressure recovery factor is 0.6. 

Similarly to Eq. (2.6), fCis a proportionality constant containing fixed operating conditions, for example incident electron current density, transmission of the analyzer at the kinetic energy Ea, efficiency of the detector at the kinetic energy Ea, and the probability of the Auger transition XYZ. 

Zinc anodes have a poor capacity (780Ah/kg) compared with aluminium (>2500 Ah/kg). However, zinc is not susceptible to passivation in low chloride environments or as a consequence of periods of low operating current density. The reliable operational characteristics of zinc often outweigh the apparent economic attraction of aluminium which can passivate under such conditions. 

The application of sacrificial anodes for the protection of structures requires the development of suitable anode materials for the exposure environment. Screening tests enable the rapid selection of materials which show potential as candidates for the given application. These tests may typically use a single parameter (e.g. operating potential at a defined constant current density) as a pass/fail criterion and are normally of short duration (usually hours) with test specimen weights of the order of hundreds of grams. The tests are not intended to simulate field conditions precisely. 

Quality control tests are intended to detect produced materials which deviate from manufacturing specifications, and thus may result in questionable performance. The materials are usually subjected to spectrographic analysis which is the primary quality control check. The exposure tests are necessarily of short duration (hours or days), in which the test conditions attempt to reflect the environment of operation, for example using artificial seawater for a marine application. Since a property that is reproducible and indicative of a consistent quality anode is all that is required, there is no attempt to mirror, except in the crudest fashion, current density profiles. 

Attack on the substrate by contact with Mg(OH>2 and Ca(OH)2 (calcareous scale) can also cause deplatinisation to occur. Anodes located close to the cathode or operating at high current densities can lead to a rapid build up of calcareous deposit, the major constituents of which are Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH>2. The alkaline conditions so generated can lead to rapid dissolution of the platinum. The calcareous deposit can be removed by washing with dilute nitric acid. 

Notes I. Service indicates a practical consumption of between 0-057 and 0 114 kg A y Under laboratory conditions PbOj has been formed at current densities as low as 21 6 Am Typical operating current densities are 54-270 Ain" at wastage rates of 0 045 to 0 082 kg A" y. ... 

Because these variables have a very pronounced effect on the current density required to produce and also maintain passivity, it is necessary to know the exact operating conditions of the electrolyte before designing a system of anodic protection. In the paper and pulp industry a current of 4(KX) A was required for 3 min to passivate the steel surfaces after passivation with thiosulphates etc. in the black liquor the current was reduced to 2 7(X) A for 12 min and then only 600 A was necessary for the remainder of the process . From an economic aspect, it is normal, in the first instance, to consider anodically protecting a cheap metal or alloy, such as mild steel. If this is not satisfactory, the alloying of mild steel with a small percentage of a more passive metal, such as chromium, molybdenum or nickel, may decrease both the critical and passivation current densities to a sufficiently low value. It is fortunate that the effect of these alloying additions can be determined by laboratory experiments before application on an industrial scale is undertaken. 

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