A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

Restrepo, Carlos; Calvente, Javier; Giral, Roberto; Konjedic, Tine

Abstract

This article focuses on the main issues that affect the lifetime and performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. The short lifespans of these fuel cells represent a barrier to their massive commercialization and usage in mobile and stationary applications. As fuel cell is a very complex system, a lot of knowledge of different areas is required, such as chemistry, electricity and mechanics, in order to completely understand its operation and all the problems that can occur during it. It is for this reason that an interdisciplinary approach needs to be taken when designing fuel-cell energy systems. This paper focuses on identifying and solving those issues that negatively affect the lifetime and performance of fuel cells. It is hoped that this article would be a valuable aid for power electronics' researchers and engineers for better understanding the presented issues and a useful guide for solving them with the use of proper power electronic-devices. Initially, the basic operation and structure of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is explained. Three main issues that can occur during operation of a mobile or stationary fuel cell energy system are pointed out and discussed in details, on the basis of the state-of-the-art on fuel cell technology. These issues are poor water management, reactant gas starvation and fuel cell current ripple. This article provides answers as to why they occur, how they affect the fuel cell, how they can be mitigated, and what are the future trends within this research field.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000312287100008 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: AUTOMATIKA
Volumen: 53
Número: 2
Editorial: KOREMA
Fecha de publicación: 2012
Página de inicio: 184
Página final: 198
DOI:

10.7305/automatika.53-2.192

Notas: ISI