The research of compensation for changes in air flow rate by increasing the oxygen concentration of oxidant in a fuel cell

Abstract

In the article an analytical study of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is carried out. The mathematical model describing the electrical properties of the fuel element is given. A distinctive feature of a PEMFC is its increased sensitivity to changes in fuel parameters and a lower one – to changes from outside of the element-oxidant. During operation of the system with a fuel cell a number of accidents, for example caused by a decrease in the rate of the supplied oxidant, is possible. For the simulation of the system operation modes a simulation model in the software environment Matlab/Simulink is developed. Using the model, the possible emergency modes of operation are identified, the possibility of compensation for reducing the rate of the oxidant consumption by increasing the concentration of oxygen in it is investigated. Recommendations for individual and mutual regulation of oxidant parameters and ranges of their concentration are developed.