Fuel Cells

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) used in automotive applications consume hydrogen, solely emit water, nitrogen, and unreacted oxygen and are operated at low temperatures. The core of the PEMFC is the membrane-electrode-assembly, which consists of the membrane, the catalyst layers, and the gas diffusion layers (GDL). GDL ensure the uniform distribution of the reactants over the cell surface as well as the electrical contact of the catalyst support layer with the bipolar plates. The main remaining challenges in commercialization of PEMFCs are costs, durability, and reliability, which are all interrelated. Particularly in transportation applications, PEMFCs are exposed more frequently to dynamic load changes than in stationary applications. The terms cold-start and freeze-start describe the start-up of the PEMFC at temperatures close to or below zero, respectively. The costs of the manufacturing process can be significantly lowered when fuel cell vehicles enter full mass production.

Authors 4

1. Sören Tinz Aachen Institute for Combustion Engines (VKA)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Combustion Engines (VKA), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 4, Aachen, 52074 Germany

2. Steffen Dirkes Aachen Institute for Combustion Engines (VKA)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Combustion Engines (VKA), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 4, Aachen, 52074 Germany

3. Marius Walters Aachen FEV Europe GmbH

   FEV (Germany)

   Affiliation as printed

   FEV Europe GmbH, Neuenhofstr. 181, Aachen, 52078 Germany

4. Jakob Andert Aachen Mechatronic Systems for Combustion Engines

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Mechatronic Systems for Combustion Engines, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 4, Aachen, 52074 Germany