Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells in Reformate Power Generators

Abstract: The topic of this thesis is the generation of electricity from hydrocarbon fuels via polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). The aim has been to develop methods and hardware for experimental evaluation of process parameters and design variables in PEFC reformate cells and stacks.Reformate fuel cell systems have the potential to offer a way for utilizing fuels efficiently with low global and local emissions. Reforming of hydrocarbon fuels may also provide a way around the famous “chicken or egg” dilemma of hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure.In this thesis current distribution measurements are introduced as a tool for investigating the current distribution in a PEFC with Pt/C or PtRu/C anode catalyst as function of reformate fuel gas composition. It is shown that CO may induce a strong transient behavior, with respect to current density, on both Pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts, depending on mode of operation. Analysis of the exhaust fuel gas showed that the oxygen in the air bleed most likely reacts close to the anode inlet, but this is not visible in the measured current density plots.  The time dependence of the CO poisoning reactions is studied more closely in a commercial fuel cell stack.The development of a test fuel cell system, called multisinglecell, that can multiply the capacity of a conventional test station is reported. The setup is successfully demonstrated with initial screening of the corrosion resistance of different stainless steel grades and coatings. Most of the iron originating from a stainless steel sample accumulates in the MEA and GDLs. These results were validated with a similar measurement in a commercial fuel cell stack.The experimental validation of a 3D FEM computer endplate model, which can accurately predict pressure distribution within any type of fuel cell at any temperature, is described. The model could reliably predict trends in changes in the compression pressure distribution.The PBI fuel cell competes with the PEFC in small-scale power applications. A high temperature break-in procedure for PBI fuel cells is developed, which can rapidly and reproducibly ensure stable cell behavior.