A versatile polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (3 kWe) facility

The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology offers many advantages over other types of fuel cells in terms of high power density, low operating temperature and fast start, stop and load following capability. However, the stringent fuel quality requirements still remain a critical barrier for its commercialization. In this context, gaining knowledge on the effect of fuel compositions on the performance of the PEM fuel cells is essential to determine the fuel cleaning requirements for reformates from different fuel sources. In this paper, a test facility is described which has been established to study fuel quality issues, start, stop, thermal cycling and load following capabilities of PEM fuel cell stacks up to 3 kWe capacity. Important features of the test facility are described along with results of testing commercial and in-house built stacks up 1 kWe capacity.