Operation strategies for cold start of PEMFC systems

This work presents a review on cold start of PEMFC systems, studying the different cold strategies as well as the relevant operating parameters that influence the cold start. Based on the prior study, an operation strategy for the shutdown and cold startup of a PEMFC system is tested with a 4 kW commercial PEMFC developed for a commercial aircraft application. The aim of the experimental work is to test the ability to self-start from -20°C, to study the effect of startup temperature and to size up the startup time. The obtained experimental results are presented in this work.