Abstract
This article introduces a dynamic semiempirical model that predicts the degradation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) by introducing time-based terms in the model. The concentration voltage drop is calculated using a new statistical equation based on the load current and working time, whereas the ohmic and activation voltage drops are updated using time-based equations borrowed from the existing literature. Furthermore, the developed model calculates the membrane water content in the PEMFC, which indicates the membrane hydration state and indirectly diagnoses the flooding and drying faults. Moreover, the model parameters are optimized using a recently developed butterfly optimization algorithm. The model is simple and has a short runtime; therefore, it is suitable for monitoring. Voltage degradation under various loading currents was observed for long working hours. The obtained results indicate a significant degradation in PEMFC performance. Therefore, the proposed model is also useful for prognostics and fault diagnosis.
Highlights
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a promising clean energy source with high energy density and environmental nontoxicity [1]–[3]
This study proposed a semiempirical model with modified activation, ohmic, and concentration voltage drops reflecting the performance deterioration over time
The degradation in PEMFC voltage was discussed at different load currents
Summary
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a promising clean energy source with high energy density and environmental nontoxicity [1]–[3]. The implementation of PEMFCs is primarily limited by their low durability. PEMFCs have a short-life span, ranging from three years for stationary applications to 3000 h for transportation applications [4], [5]. The causes of PEMFC degradation are listed below. (i) Membrane degradation is the outcome of chemical degradation, which leads to the thinning of the membrane and unwanted gas crossover. Membranes are degraded by mechanical stress, which can lead to cracking and the formation of pinholes. Thermal stress is induced by the high temperatures produced in the PEMFC (above 200 ◦C)
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