Patent ID: 9099703
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for breaking-in and humidifying membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs) in a fuel cell stack, said method comprising: performing voltage cycling and humidification of the MEAs in the fuel cell stack, including one or more temperature steps wherein current density of the stack is cycled within a predetermined range for each of the one or more temperature steps, maintaining a fuel cell stack voltage within a predetermined range, and maintaining anode and cathode reactant flows at an approximate set-point during the current density cycling of the one or more temperature steps such that by-product water from a fuel cell stack electrochemical reaction condenses to break-in and humidify the MEAs in the stack so that the stack is able to operate at a predetermined threshold for a fuel cell stack voltage output capability.