Fuel Cell Testing Protocols: An International Perspective

An overview of international polymer-electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) test procedures is presented. This overview is the first step in the global harmonization of testing methods. Many techniques and procedures determining stack performance and durability are discussed. Each approach has differences that may or may not impact the data and data quality. Through experiments, it was found that differences in the results from two methods for measuring sequential polarization curves are minimal. Answers to questions regarding differences in the aging duty cycles need to be determined experimentally. The results of these experiments are expected to help the harmonization process, to facilitate the understanding of test results, and, possibly, to accelerate the commercialization of PEMFCs.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energ

Fuel Cell Testing Leads to Harmony

JRC.F.2 - Cleaner energie

PEM fuel cell stack testing in the framework of an EU-harmonized fuel cell testing protocol: Results for an 11kW stack

Fuel cell testing and standardization thematic network (FCTESTNET) was a Thematic Network funded by the European Commission under the FifthFramework Program(FP5), whichwascomprised of 55 European partners. The project concluded in 2006 and the main output was the collection and compilation of agreed testing procedures for different fuel cell technologies (PEM, SOFC, MCFC), applications (stationary, portable, transport), as well as balance of plant. Experimental validation of such testing procedures is the next necessary step for obtaining reliable harmonized testing procedures. The Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Energy (IE) has started the validation process on selected PEM testing procedures. One of the FCTESTNET procedures applied at JRCIE is the polarization curve for a PEM stack. Results show that the harmonization of some parameters, such as the acquisition and equilibrium time for each value of the current density, and the control of the stack coolant temperature, is a necessary action for an objective and trustworthy comparison of the performance data.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

Assessment of PEFC Performance by Applying Harmonized Testing Procedure

The performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEFC) stacks is assessed in terms of polarization curve measurements under laboratory conditions by applying a harmonized testing procedure. Harmonization at the level of testing procedures allows for an objective and trustworthy comparison of performance data. The harmonization of the procedure took place among the 55 partners of the Fuel Cell Testing and Standardization Network (FCTESTNET). Selected testing procedures are currently validated through experimental campaigns in the successor project (Fuel Cell Testing, Safety and Quality Assurance, FCTESQA) involving world class research laboratories from Europe, US, China, and Korea. The present study reports the results of a test of the campaign for the performance assessment of a PEFC power stack carried out by JRC applying the harmonized procedure for validation. Following the procedure, the test inputs and outputs are subjected to stability checks a priori to and during the actual polarization curve measurement step of the test. The assessment of the stack performance is based on a statistical approach of the test outputs which includes the calculation of averages, measurement range, (relative) standard deviation and standard error as well as of a stability parameter. The study demonstrates the necessity of harmonized testing procedures and of a harmonized methodology of presenting the test results in a commonly agreed format to provide a comprehensive performance assessment for PEFC stacks.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energ

A comparison of Fuel Cell Testing protocols – A case study: Protocols used by the U.S. Department of Energy, European Union, International Electrotechnical Commission/Fuel Cell Testing and Standardization Network, and Fuel Cell Technical Team

Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) and the Joint Research Centre-Institute for Energy and Transport (JRC-IET) collaborated to understand the aging behavior of polymer-electrolyte membrane stacks when operated under different duty cycles. The duty cycles were that used by theU.S. Department of Energy (DST) and the US Fuel Cell Council; the New European Drive Cycle (ECE R15); that used in IEC-TS62282-7-1 (IEC) and Fuel Cell Testing and Standardization Network; and the one proposed by the US Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle Efficiency and Energy Sustainability Fuel Cell Technical Team (FCTT). The stacks were cycled using the duty profile in each protocol for 200 h; stack performance was measured every 100 h. Analysis of the relative changes in the average cell potentials at 180 A showed that the rate of performance decline could be ordered as IEC > ECE R15, the latter being slightly greater than or approximately equal to DST and FCTT. Comparing this ordering to the length of time at full power in the duty cycle with the degradation rates shows that they are related.Most likely, the underlying cause of performance decline can be attributed to the manner in which the product water interacts with the stack components.JRC.F.2 - Cleaner energ