Investigation of Filtration Phenomena of Air Pollutants on Cathode Air Filters for PEM Fuel Cells

Filtration of cathode air is one the challenges in operating proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The poisoning with contaminants can lead to rapid performance degradation and initiate an aging process cell. Various commercially available filters are being tested a laboratory gas test bench within research project X-EMU (03B10502B 03B10502B2). A literature review harmful used for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on side was conducted. Experimental investigations took place at 40 °C synthetic humid containing low concentration such as ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur hydrogen sulfide, toluene. Test durations varied from 3 24 h depending filtration efficiency. Each contaminant showed different reactions investigated filters. did not let sulfur-containing components pass. However, monoxide could be filtrated by any oxides efficient all filters, while additional filter materials were essential successful ammonia. Comparative results discussion possible effects cell outlook optimization behavior.