Internship | How Often can you Start-Up a Fuel Cell Before it Breaks?

Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in de-carbonizing our energy system. When it is fed into a fuel cell, the chemical energy is converted into electrical energy without producing harmful greenhouse gas (GHG), NOx or SOx emissions. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most promising fuel cell types studied nowadays. They operate at moderate temperatures, can supply fluctuating loads and have decent energy efficiency. Yet, their lifetime is still limited to 3000 to 30.000 operational hours, depending on the exact conditions in which they are used. Various mechanisms contribute to PEMFC degradation. Carbon corrosion is one of the main mechanisms and occurs mostly during start-up of the fuel cell. Because carbon is incorporated in the catalyst layer (CL) the available catalyst area drops when it corrodes. As a result, less chemical reactions occur, and the power output of the system drops. This graduation project is a cooperation between the TU Delft, TNO and a Dutch fuel cell manufacturer and is a part of ongoing research. TNO has developed a dynamic PEMFC system model in MATLAB-Simulink and at TU Delft, a static carbon corrosion model has been developed to predict carbon corrosion and power output based on temperature and cell potential. Combining the models will give insight into PEMFC durability, and how its lifetime is affected by load profiles with numerous start-up cycles.

You will implement degradation models for hydrogen fuel cell system into an in-house, physics based fuel cell model. For this purpose a dynamic carbon corrosion model from the literature need to implemented and tested. The base fuel cell model will be provided. The results will be verified/validated making use of measurement data.

The hydrogen fuel cell model and simulation results will be used to improve understanding of the fuel cell degradation processes in relation to operating conditions. Based on this model, diagnostics for state-of-health of the fuel cell can be developed. This will help to increase the lifetime of a fuel cell system, which will enable the cost-effective use of hydrogen fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles.

In this project, the following activities are foreseen:

• Literature survey on degradation models;
• Familiarize with fuel cell model and carbon corrosion model;
• Implement carbon corrosion model(s) into the main fuel cell model;
• Simulation of hydrogen fuel cell at a variety of conditions;
• Validation of the model with existing experimental data;
• Parameter variation study to understand degradation process sensitivities;
• Analysis simulation results;
• Report writing and presentation of results at TNO.

• You have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, for example mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, chemical engineering.
• You are coursing a master in a relevant field, for example mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, chemical engineering.
• Experience with and knowledge about Matlab.
• You enjoy developing innovative solutions to technically challenging problems and have the right mix of intellectual curiosity and pragmatism.

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:
  • 1) you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
  • 2) the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.
• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.