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.

MALKOW Thomas;  SATURNIO Antonio;  PILENGA Alberto;  DE MARCO Giancarlo;  TSOTRIDIS Georgios; 

2011-10-20

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

JRC51377

0363-907X,   

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/er.1840/pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC51377,   

10.1002/er.1840,