Performance and lifetime analysis of the kW-class PEMFC stack

A counter-flow type 40-cell proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack with an effective electrode area of 200 cm2 has been assembled and its performance was investigated. Under the condition of atmospheric pressure and 75 °C, the maximum power of the stack was 2.89 kW (0.36 W/cm2 per cell) and 2.3 kW (0.29 W/cm2 per cell) for H2/O2 and H2/Air, respectively. However, the stack showed a rapid decay in performance after continuous operation of 1800 h. Electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer analyses revealed that degradation of the catalyst and contamination of the polymer electrolyte membrane were the main causes of such sudden decay.