METHOD FOR DETECTING LEAKAGE OF A REDUCING FLUID THROUGHOUT AN ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL

摘要

A method for detecting leakage of a reducing fluid throughout an electrolyte membrane of an electrochemical cell is provided. The method includes the following consecutive steps: supplying the cell with anode and cathode streams; abrupt and controlled variation of at least one of the following parameters: the pressure of the anode stream in the anode channel, the pressure of the cathode stream in the cathode channel, the flow rate of the anode stream into the anode channel, the flow rate of the cathode stream into the cathode channel, and the strength of the current exchanged between the two sides of the membrane; measurement of a first reducing fluid concentration in a first stream, including the cathode stream leaving the cathode channel; and deducing the presence or absence of leakage on the basis of the variation in the first measured concentration of reducing fluid over time. A corresponding fuel cell system is also provided.