Impact of dummy load shut-down strategy on performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2018-11, Vol.404, p.126-134
• Main Authors: Yang, Yue, Li, Wenbin, Lin, Rui, Xia, Shixiang, Jiang, Zhenghua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Current density distribution; Dummy load; PEMFC; Shut-down strategy; SU/SD process
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.10.003

In this paper, the performance and durability of a self-designed proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack with 5 single cells are investigated with in-situ segmented cell technology. Effect of dummy load application during shut-down process on performance degradation is analyzed through measuring polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) after different start-up and shut-down (SU/SD) cycles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are taken after the SU/SD cycles. According to the analysis results, it is confirmed that dummy load can take benefit to the durability of PEMFC during the SU/SD process and also the uniformity of current density in different regions for each single cell. However, dummy load may not affect the uniformity of single cells for the stack. This paper contributes to the strategies for promoting performance and durability of PEMFC stack. •Segmented cell technology shows the whole performance degradation process.•Dummy load mitigates performance degradation and enhances durability of PEMFC stack.•SU/SD process has an obvious impact on single cell, but not on uniformity of stack.