PEMFC diagnostics and modelling by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

In last years the interest in fuel cell, as an alternative device for electrical energy production, has been growing. In order to completely exploit fuel cell technology, some hindrances which limit their lifetime have to be overcame. In this context it is crucial to choose the right diagnostic technique, able both to find failures and malfunctions and to model their dynamic behaviour. This paper concerns two basilar issues of fuel cell research: diagnostics and modelling. In particular EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) is applied to a PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell). The experiments have been performed using a low-cost measurement hardware and creating a useful software for accomplishing several purposes.

[1]  E. Rideal,et al.  Fuel Cells , 1958, Nature.

[2]  Edson A. Ticianelli,et al.  Methods to Advance Technology of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells , 1988 .

[3]  W. Schnurnberger,et al.  Electrochemical impedance spectra of solid-oxide fuel cells and polymer membrane fuel cells , 1998 .

[4]  J. H. Lee,et al.  Modeling electrochemical performance in large scale proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks , 1998 .

[5]  T. Springer,et al.  Modelistic interpretation of the power response of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell , 1998 .

[6]  V. Antonucci,et al.  Technology up date and new strategies on fuel cells , 2001 .

[7]  Mariana Ciureanu and,et al.  Electrochemical Impedance Study of PEM Fuel Cells. Experimental Diagnostics and Modeling of Air Cathodes , 2001 .

[8]  E. Gonzalez,et al.  Effect of membrane characteristics and humidification conditions on the impedance response of polymer electrolyte fuel cells , 2001 .

[9]  A. Balkin,et al.  MODELLING A 500W POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL , 2002 .

[10]  F. Barbir Proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology status and applicability for propulsion of autonomous underwater vehicles , 2002, Proceedings of the 2002 Workshop on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, 2002..

[11]  N. Wagner Characterization of membrane electrode assemblies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells using a.c. impedance spectroscopy , 2002 .

[12]  L. Arriaga,et al.  Impedance spectroscopy as a tool in the evaluation of MEA's , 2003 .