PEMFC operational and design strategies for Sub zero environments

摘要

Fuel cells designed for mobile applications need to operate in a wide temperature range including freezing temperatures. However, on a relative basis, less effort have been devoted to develop freeze tolerant fuel cells than, for example, to develop more efficient catalysts and membranes. A summary of approaches developed by Ballard is provided including heat management, material degradation prevention and materials able to sustain freezing conditions without damage. It is concluded that significant progress was achieved and that additional work is required in several areas including modeling, measurement methods and fuel cell design optimization based on a judicious selection of available approaches.