Study of constant current and ripple current aging of LT-PEMFC stacks

In order to minimize fuel cell aging, it is important to take into account the interactions of fuel cells with the auxiliaries required for their operation. In particular, in this study, we focus on the impact of current harmonics generated by the static converter connected to a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (LT-PEMFC) technology stack. Indeed, today, there are still uncertainties about the influence of current harmonics on the acceleration of fuel cell aging, especially following technological developments tending to reduce the membrane thickness. In this paper, two endurance tests are carried out simultaneously on two test benches to compare the aging of an LT-PEMFC stack operating in the presence of current harmonics emulating the presence of a Boost DC-DC converter with a stack of the same technology operating at the same constant average current. The results obtained are analyzed and compared on the basis of voltage degradation rates observed during endurance and those recorded via polarization curves. The work presented in this study was carried out as part of the HEMOWHY (HEavy MObilities With HYdrogen) project.