Degradation Analysis of a PEMFC System Operated Under High-Altitude Conditions

Kurzfassung

The development of powertrains for upcoming regional aircraft based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) opens a promising pathway to decarbonize the aviation sector. However, operating PEMFC systems under high-altitude conditions poses significant challenges, as performance, efficiency, and durability are affected due to the decreased ambient pressure and colder temperatures. In this study, the degradation behavior is investigated by operating a PEMFC system for 600 hours inside a temperature-controlled low-pressure chamber simulating altitudes of up to 5600 meters. The results show that operation at high altitude accelerates degradation. However, these effects can be mitigated by applying optimized parameters for high-altitude operation, which particularly affect water management. This highlights the need for altitude-adaptive control strategies to enhance both performance and durability.