Investigation of PEM Fuel Cell Characteristics in Steady and Dynamic Operation Modes

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) integration into power supply systems. A hybrid energy complex (HEC) based on PEMFCs and lithium iron phosphate batteries can be used as a reliable energy source. It is necessary to properly determine the PEMFC characteristics in order to develop a PEMFC-based HEC prototype and its control algorithms. This paper presents a 1 kW PEMFC’s test results in steady and dynamic modes. The dependences of the average hydrogen consumption per 1 min, the volume of hydrogen for the generation of 1 kWh, the PEMFC efficiency on the load current were obtained and an analysis of these dependences for steady operation modes was performed. A range of load changes beyond which the efficiency of the PEMFC significantly decreased and it was recommended to switch to the joint operation of the PEMFCs and batteries (or only batteries) was established. Diagrams of the PEMFC output voltage during the dynamic changes in loads are presented and an analysis of transient response characteristics was carried out. The air supply fans were found to affect the performance of PEMFCs.

Automotive Fuel Cell Systems: Testing Highly Dynamic Scenarios

“…Current steps lead to a voltage overshoot in the case of a current decrease and a voltage undershoot in the case of a current increase, as experimental and simulation literature data suggests [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. A similar behavior is reported for step changes in voltage and the current response [22,23].…”

Experimental study and modelling of an air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack in the static and dynamic performance

“…The authors of another study [9] conducted tests on a 1 kW PEM fuel cell stack under dynamic and static conditions, considering two hydrogen delivery pressures of 0.6 and 0.8 atm, as specified by the manufacturer as optimal. In the static approach, the load was incrementally changed from 0 to 22 A, in steps of 1 A, for tests lasting 60 seconds each.…”