Date of writing: 04-mrt-2025
Authors: Annabel Broer*, Henk Polinder, Lindert van Biert
Institution: Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
Department of Maritime and Transport Technology

Title: Area specific salt flow from PEMFC salt degradation studies 2001-2023
Used for: (soon to be published in Journal of Power sources) Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Durability in a Maritime 
Context - Review of Causes, Mechanisms, Monitoring and Research gaps

File(s): 
1. Excel file for area specific salt flow calculations

Abbreviations/nomenclature:
HCl = Hydrogen chloride, salt
NaCl = Sodium chloride, salt
N/A = Not applicable
N.i. = Not included
PEMFC = polymer electrolyte fuel cell (also known as proton exchange membrane fuel cell)
Stoich = stoichiometry
Unk. = Unknown 

Method:
16 papers** on salt contamination of PEMFCs were analysed. Both NaCl and HCl contamination
was considered. Data on salt solution concentration, air flow, geometric surface area of 
the PEMFC and duration of the experiments were gathered to calculate the area specific 
salt flow in the unit g/h/cm2 (grams of salt per hour of operation per centimeter squared 
of PEMFC surface area). 
Supplementary constants for calculation are provided (e.g. molar mass of the salts, 
Faraday constant, standard air and fuel stoichiometries).

* Corresponding author
** Data is discussed, and citations are provided in section 3.4 of the soon to be 
published review titled "Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Durability in a Maritime 
Context - Review of Causes, Mechanisms, Monitoring and Research gaps".