Startup-shut down cycles

How to start up and shut down a stack impact its lifetime significantly. The most important thing is to minimize or better prevent the formation of H2/air boundary at the anode, followed by shortening the time at OCV. Several methods can achieve those goals. One method invented by the Author only resulted in 25 mV voltage loss (at 0.6 A cm ) after 20,000 times of startup and shutdown cycles. 

At top of pool, measure the radiation level with the diffuser running. Note variations in readings and attempt to determine the reason for the variations. Have the operator turn the area monitor switch to local. Turn the diffuser off and watch the change in radiation level. Note that, even with the diffuser off, there is about a 50-second time for water to rise from the core to the pool surface. We will try to verify this if we can arrange to be at the pool top during a shut down/startup cycle. 

---