Methodology and Structure

Second Act is divided into 4 technical Work Packages (WP1/2/3/4), WP5 about dissemination and exploitation and WP6 about Management. The three fuel cell technologies, H2 PEFC, reformate PEFC, and DMFC, are jointly studied in all the WP. WP1: Specification Of Reference Components And Degradation Data (Leader: NEDSTACK) WP2: Investigation Of Degradation Processes (Leader: POLIMI) WP3: Statistical Analysis And Simulation Of Stack Performance Degradation (Leader: CEA) WP4: Durability Improvements (Leader: IRD) WP5: Dissemination And Exploitation (Leader: DLR) WP6: Mangement (Leader: CEA) The overall strategy is based on two main technical focuses: 1. Degradation understanding based on lifetime tests information: • From existing field tests or systems for relevant description of failure modes and related performance degradation, • From stack and cells specific degradation/durability tests with advanced in-situ local measurements • Particularly from validated accelerated stress degradation tests emphasizing specific degradation or failure modes in cells and stacks • From previous tests data analysis to quantify degradation, thanks to: ex-situ investigations of components to identify mechanisms; statistical analyses to identify the impact of failure modes and to relate causes to performance losses; and modelling to simulate and predict local performance degradation in unit cell and stack. 2. Durability improvement thanks to the following methodology: • Exploitation of all degradation investigations for the proposal of improvements • Selection of most relevant solutions related to most critical degradation issues for their evaluation and demonstration of durability improvements • Application of validated accelerated tests with improved components in unit cells or stacks and test of improved operating strategies in stack or systems. • Final achievement will be demonstration of significant measurable improvements enabling lifetime enhancement at system level. The strategy is an iterative process with proposal of improvements at two periods: near mid- term (M18) and again before the end for final demonstration (M30).

European Project Second Act Simulation, Statistics and Experiments Coupled to develop Optimized and Durable µCHP systems using Accelerated Tests