Abstract

A quasi three-dimensional dynamic model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has been developed and evaluated by comparison to experimental data. A single PEMFC cell is discretized into 245 control volumes in three dimensions to resolves local voltage response, current generation, species mole fractions, temperature, and membrane hydration spatially in the PEMFC. The model can further simulate transients in electrical load, inlet flow conditions, ambient conditions, and/or other parameters to provide insight into the local dynamic performance of a PEMFC. The quasi three-dimensional model has been validated against an experimental single cell. To compare the model, polarization constants were tuned to match one experimental operating point of the fuel cell. With this tuning, the model is shown to predict well the voltage current (V-I) behavior for the full range of cell operating current. Further, model comparison to an instantaneous increase in current indicates that the model can predict the transient electrochemical response of the PEMFC. This suggests such a model can be utilized for PEMFC system development, transient analysis of a PEMFC in general, as well as transient control design.

Highlights

  • Global environmental concerns, global warming and air pollution in urban areas have provided the stimulus to improve the efficiency of conventional power sources and to develop environmental friendly energy conversion technologies

  • Validation The quasi-three dimensional PEM fuel cell model developed in this study simulates the polarization curve of unit PEM fuel cell

  • A single cell is discretized into five control volumes for species and seven control volumes for energy balance in the cross sectional direction, and in 35 nodes in the stream wise direction

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Summary

Introduction

Global warming and air pollution in urban areas have provided the stimulus to improve the efficiency of conventional power sources and to develop environmental friendly energy conversion technologies. One of the promising energy technologies is fuel cells. Various types of fuel cells have been developed for residential, automotive, and remote power backup, etc. Among the fuel cell types PEM fuel cell has received much attention as a promising future power source. Low-temperature operation, quick start-up, system robustness, transient ability, and low emissions make PEMFC very attractive especially as an automobile power sources. Powering an automobile PEMFC will be subdued to transient load conditions. It is important to investigate the dynamic respond characteristics of the PEM fuel cell. As a result it is important to catch each characteristic during transient to understand the voltage response to load changes

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