Electrical, thermal and degradation modelling of PEMFCs for naval applications

Abstract

This article presents a semi-empirical model of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), combining electrical, thermal and ageing phenomena. This modelling approach links activation and diffusion phenomena in order to create a new PEMFC model, close to reality in steady state and enabling fast simulation (since the dynamics are of first order). The purpose of this model is to enable energy management studies to optimize the design, lifetime and consumption of a PEMFC system. The degradation model is defined and fitted according to a PEM fuel cell datasheet. The design aims to study fault-tolerant multi stack Fuel Cell (MFC) systems, to consider their interactions with power converters and to design optimal control and adaptive management rules. The degradation model helps to define management rules according to the state of health and to the degradation speed of each stack. This work also presents an analysis of the existing models available in the literature and more specifically models compatible with the needs of Modular Fuel Cells (MFC) studies.