Management of Change (MOC) Reviews Applied for Pemfc Systems

Research aimed at hydrogen fuel cells (HFC) has increased recently, driven by the need for viable alternative methods to generate energy for automotive vehicles, aside from fossil fuels. Before implementing hydrogen systems in vehicles, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive tests in a bench setup to ensure maximum efficiency before scaling up the system. Therefore, it is often essential to make modifications to the bench system to improve it. This paper aims to document the use of Management of Change (MOC) reviews to modify a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bench system. The previous layout included a hydrogen cylinder and three valves before the PEMFC: a pressure reduction valve, a pressure relief valve, and a shutoff valve. After the HFC, the non-reacted hydrogen and water produced during the reaction were eliminated through a purge valve. In the modified setup, an accumulator was added before the PEMFC, along with a non-reacted hydrogen reuse system that redirects the product exit of the HFC back to the accumulator. This change aimed to enhance the efficiency of electrical current production per mole and improve the process's safety by preventing hydrogen release into the atmosphere. To ensure the process's integrity and safety, MOC reviews were implemented, covering maintenance, operational, technical, and security aspects. This improvement enhances the system used by the team. MOC reviews are an essential engineering tool that increases the success rate of improvements in functioning processes, even minor ones. Additionally, the modifications to the PEMFC feed system have reduced operational costs and increased the bench's viability for use.