Performance evaluation of PEM fuel cell stack on hydrogen produced in the oil refinery

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-02, Vol.45 (8), p.5491-5500
• Main Authors: Chugh, Sachin, Meenakshi, S., Sonkar, Kapil, Sharma, Alok, Kapur, G.S., Ramakumar, S.S.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contamination; MEA; Neat hydrogen; PEMFC stack; Refinery hydrogen
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.06.160

The global progress in pushing the clean energy initiatives can be seen both as a challenge and opportunity for energy companies. Inclusion of “Hydrogen” as a value-added product from the refineries and use of fuel cells in the energy mix of an oil company, presents such an opportunity. However, the refinery hydrogen is not a fuel cell grade due to inherent impurities like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane are associated owing to the hydrocarbon source of production. In this study, a Low-temperature PEM fuel cell stack with 30 cells and active area of 50 cm2 was optimized on neat hydrogen in terms of its operating parameters including temperature, pressure and relative humidity. Upon optimization, the contamination tests were performed by doping various concentrations contaminants for simulating the refinery hydrogen composition. The results of performance evaluation with neat hydrogen and the impact of different contaminants are discussed in this study. •Suitability of refinery hydrogen to operate the fuel cell.•Study on temperature, pressure and RH with neat H2.•PEMFC performance evaluation with neat hydrogen.•Impact of different contaminants in PEMFC.