METHOD FOR CONDITIONING A MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT IN A FUEL CELL

Abstract

Method (100) for conditioning a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (48) in a fuel cell (24) for use in a fuel cell stack (22), the method comprising: Humidifying a fuel inlet (31, 21) to the fuel cell stack (22) to a relative humidity threshold level; Maintaining (S108) a current density (j) and a cell voltage (V) C ) the fuel cell (24) via a controller (50) in at least one voltage recovery phase (65) with a predetermined voltage recovery time (T) R ) at a calibrated current density level (j) or a calibrated holding voltage level (V) H ); Measuring (S112) the cell voltage (V C ) via a voltage sensor (S V ) after completion of the specified voltage recovery time (T R ); Executing a control action with respect to the fuel cell (24) or fuel cell stack (22) based on the measured cell voltage (V) C ) reacts, which exceeds a target voltage, including recording (S116) a diagnostic code via the controller (50) indicating successful conditioning of the MEA (48), wherein the at least one voltage recovery phase (65) includes a plurality of voltage recovery phases (65), Performing a load change stage (62A, 62B) prior to at least one voltage recovery phase (65), in which the current density level (j) is cyclically changed within a calibrated current density range with a lower limit and an upper limit that exceeds the current density level (j) used during the voltage recovery phases (65), wherein the lower limit is at least twice the current density level (j) used during the at least one voltage recovery phase (65).

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