Carbon Corrosion of a PEMFC During Shut-down/Start-up when Using an Air Purge Procedure

Carbon corrosion rates were measured for four types of polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrode assemblies (MEAs) during shut-down air purging and start-up. The corrosion rates were measured at different purge rates, temperatures, and relative humidities. The highest amount of carbon corrosion occurs when gases are humidified and when using low flow rates for the air purging during shut-down and low hydrogen flow during start-up. Dry conditions give the highest rates of corrosion during shutdown when comparing the same flow rates of hydrogen and air, while humid conditions gives the highest rate of corrosion during start-up when comparing the same flow rates of hydrogen and air.