Cold start of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using build-in catalytic heater

Abstract

The paper report on the cold start of fuel cell with proton exchange membrane (PEMFC) at – 40 °C using a catalytic heating unit integrated directly into the PEMFC bipolar plates. This technical solution increases the heat transfer efficiency up to 60% due to direct contact of the membrane-electrode assembly with the heating unit, and ensure a successful cold start of the fuel cell from – 40 °C to an operating temperature of 35 °C within 6 minutes at air flow rate of 150 mL/min. The hydrogen flow rate is 45 cm3/s, which corresponds to a hydrogen concentration in the air flow of ca. 1.8 vol.%, which is below the autoignition point and ensures the safety of the proposed method. Uniform distribution of heat over the bipolar plates surface prevents dehydration and thermal degradation of the membrane electrode assembly components and improve the PEMFC performance after cold start.