Measurement and modelling of carbon monoxide poisoning distribution within a polymer electrolyte fuel cell

The distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) across the anode of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a single channel flow-field is modelled and compared with experimental results obtained using localised stripping voltammetry. Good agreement is observed between experiment and model over a wide range of CO carrier gas flow rates. The model is used to predict the effect of CO transient poisoning, expected to occur during system start-up, when high CO slippage is likely to occur from the fuel processor and the fuel cell is not electrically loaded.