Abstract

In order to provide fuel cell durability, it is important to reduce iron (Fe) contamination to the polymer electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell stack and to control the humidity to an appropriate level. The new fuel cell system developed jointly with General Motors Company adopts a double-layer coating of titanium and carbon on the stainless steel bipolar plates of the fuel cell stack that reduces Fe elution to 1/10 the previous amount. In addition, the humidification level is increased by estimating the amount of water vapor with a highly accurate humidification model and using a high-efficiency water vapor transfer unit and an electric coolant mixing valve to perform active humidity control. The amount of water contained in the membrane was increased by lowering the coolant temperature and supplying air controlled to high humidity with a high degree of accuracy. As a result, the durability is more than double that of the previous system.In addition, the start-up time in a low-temperature environment of -20°C was shortened to 1/9 that of the previous system by performing humidity conditioning control when the system is stopped and rapid warm-up control at start-up.The fuel cell system cost was also reduced to 1/3 that of the previous system by reducing the cost of the fuel cell stack and simplifying the system.

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Author (organization or company)

• Hiroyasu OZAKI（Innovative Research Excellence, Power Unit & Energy）
• Kaoru YAMAZAKI（Innovative Research Excellence, Power Unit & Energy）
• Takayuki OGAWA（Innovative Research Excellence, Power Unit & Energy）
• Shuto MANIWA（Innovative Research Excellence, Power Unit & Energy）
• Taneaki MIURA（American Honda Motor Co., Inc.）
• Todd W. HUSTON（General Motors Company）

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.37 (13 - 19)

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