Characterization and analysis of current distribution for oxygen starvation diagnosis: A research based on segmented PEMFC technology

Oxygen starvation, which has a possibility to induce cell reversal and carbon corrosion, is an undesirable phenomenon during the operational process of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) engines. In this paper, a series of experiments are performed under multiple loading conditions, which is chosen with the help of polarity curves, with different values of cathode stoichiometry. The current distribution is analyzed with the utilization of contour maps which are drawn based on segmented PEMFC technique, and the experimental phenomenon is analyzed under normal conditions and oxygen starvation conditions. The experimental result suggests a risen critical number of cathode starvation with the rising loading amplitude. Moreover, a concept of critical characteristic line is highlighted in the current contour map of cathode inlet, and a novel diagnosis method is developed. Under the verification conditions, the effectiveness of this novel diagnosis method is verified. This paper aims to point out a potential direction for robust and effective diagnosis of cathode starvation for PEMFC engines. [Display omitted]