Parametric Sensitivity Tests—European Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Test Procedures

Abstract

As fuel cells are increasingly commercialized for various applications, harmonized and industry-relevant test procedures are necessary to benchmark tests and to ensure comparability of stack performance results from different parties. This paper reports the results of parametric sensitivity tests performed based on test procedures proposed by a European project, StackTest. The sensitivity of a Nafion®-based low temperature PEMFC stack's performance to parametric changes was the main objective of the tests. Four crucial parameters for fuel cell operation were chosen; relative humidity (RH), temperature, pressure, and stoichiometry at varying current density. Furthermore, procedures for polarization curve recording were also tested both in ascending and descending current directions.