Fuel Cell Reliability Model based on Uncertain Data

In the paper a reliability model for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM FC) is presented. The durability is one of the major barriers to the commercialization of PEM source. The key to improve the diffusion is to demonstrate that PEM is reliable. The literature evidences that the electrochemical performances of PEM degrade and behaviour changes during the time of operating. One of the predominant failure modes of PEM is the degradation of the Membrane Exchange Assembly (MEA). Various studies have been carried out regarding this issue, but many aspects of the degradation are not yet understood. In literature it is proposed to model PEM reliability by means of a Weibull probability function. The parameters of the probability distribution are assessed on the results of sources at the end of life. In order to overcome the limit of the traditional methods for reliability evaluation, a probabilistic approach able to take into account the lack of data and the uncertainties of design and operating conditions is proposed.