Fuel cell contamination

M.C. Williams, D.A. Berry, "Overview of the DOE-Funded Fuel Cell Contaminants R D Program," Fuel Cell Seminar Program and Abstracts, 1990 Fuel Cell Seminar, Phoenix, AR, November 25-28, 1990. 

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Contamination and Mitigation Strategies... 

Fuel cell systems often include a reformer that converts hydrogen carbon fuel such as methane or methanol to a hydrogen-rich stream of gas. This stream is then fed to a fuel cell, which generates electric power. However, the reforming process also produces some unwanted trace species, such as CO, H2S, and NH3, which are considered poisonous to PEM fuel cells. Fuel cell contamination caused by these... 

This chapter has examined a variety of EIS applications in PEMFCs, including optimization of MEA structure, ionic conductivity studies of the catalyst layer, fuel cell contamination, fuel cell stacks, localized impedance, and EIS at high temperatures, and in DMFCs, including ex situ methanol oxidation, and in situ anode and cathode reactions. These materials therefore cover most aspects of PEMFCs and DMFCs. It is hoped that this chapter will provide a fundamental understanding of EIS applications in PEMFC and DMFC research, and will help fuel cell researchers to further understand PEMFC and DMFC processes. 

Cheng X, Shi Z, Glass N, Zhang L, Zhang J, Song D, et al. A review of PEM hydrogen fuel cell contamination impacts, mechanisms, and mitigation. J Power Sources 2007 165 739-56. 

The effects of mixtures of contaminants have not been extensively studied and little experimental data is available. There is a need for experimental studies and modeling in this area. Chapter 7 closes with a discussion on critical needs in fuel cell contamination modeling. 

Fuel Cell Contaminants Sources and Chemical/Electrochemical Reactions... 

The effect of impurities on fuel cells, often referred to as fuel cell contamination, has been identified as one of the most important issues in fuel cell operation and applications. Studies have shown that the component most affected by contamination is the MEA [3]. Three major effects of contamination on the MEA have been identified [3,4] (1) the kinetic effect, which involves poisoning of the catalysts or a decrease in catalytic activity (2) the conductivity effect, reflected in an increase in the solid electrolyte resistance and (3) the mass transfer effect, caused by changes in catalyst layer structure, interface properties, and hydrophobicity, hindering the mass transfer of hydrogen and/or oxygen. 

Similar to SO, NO, are also important fuel cell contaminants. NO, derive from several sources [104-106]. The primary sources are motor vehicles, electrical utilities, and other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fuels. Other NO, arise from human activities that include biomass burning, waste disposal, solvent use, and fertilizer use. NO, are formed when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in a combustion process. Fossil... 

Major PEM fuel cell contaminants, their sources, and their chemical/electro-chemical reactions were reviewed in this chapter. The key contaminants and their principal sources are summarized in Table 2.2 [150]. 

Li, H., et al. 2009. PEM fuel cell contamination Effects of operating conditions on toluene-induced cathode degradation. /. Electrochem. Soc. 156 B252-B257. 

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