Safety Related Development of a PEM Fuel Cell Supply and Control System

Abstract

© 2021 SAE International.Although the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is still attracting enormous R&D interest because of its high energy density, its commercialization is hampered by many challenges including cutting cost, improving performance and increasing durability. While they could be solved by material selection, the durability of PEMFC is also affected by voltage reversals and fuel starvation. [1] Despite the problems related to the construction of the fuel cell, there are also problems in terms of safety. In the development chain of a technology, it is essential to take into account the origin of the materials used for their maintenance / after-sales. Knowing that hydrogen is a gas that has several peculiarities and among them the high combustion power, great attention is needed when handling it and therefore there is a sequence of good practices and standards to be respected from which will be discussed in this article.