Simulation of PEMFC Stack for Portable Power Generator Application

Abstract

Generally, it is possible to reduce the size, cost, and parasitic loss of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system with an air-cooled system, open cathode and self-humidifying stack for portable fuel cell application. In order to ensure the that PEMFC stack applicable for portable fuel cell application, a mathematical model is useful tool for saving design cost, giving a better system design and operation. Therefore, this study is focused on developing a simplified zero-dimensional mathematical model for self-humidifying and open cathode 200W PEMFC stack for portable fuel cell generator application. The mathematical equations are modelled by using Matlab-Simulink tools in order to simulate the operation of the developed mode. This simulation is then compared to a commercially 200W Horizon PEMFC stack (H-200) for data validation purposes. The air inlet flow rate is chosen to test the sensitivity of the fuel cell stack model. The air inlet stoichiometry of 2, 5, 20, and 50 was varied to generate a different air inlet flow rate. Based on the simulation, air inlet stoichiometry above 15 is sufficient to produce a high output stack voltage. However, in a real operation of the H-200 fuel cell stack system needs air inlet stoichiometry at about 20 because a fan is used to supply air and also the cooling system. High anode and cathode relative humidity result in a high output stack voltage. However, it is better to increase the anode relative humidity than cathode relative humidity to get high output stack voltage. ABSTRAK Umumnya, dalam aplikasi penjana sel fuel mudah alih, ia adalah berkemungkinan untuk mengurangkan saiz, kos, dan kehilangan parasit sel fuel polimer membran elektrolit (PEMFC) dengan menggunakan sistem penyejuk udara, jenis katod terbuka dan pelembapan-kendiri. Bagi memastikan tindanan PEMFC sesuai bagi aplikasi penjana sel fuel mudah alih, model matematik merupakan pendekatan yang sesuai bagi menjimatkan kos reka bentuk serta menghasilkan reka bentuk dan operasi sistem yang lebih baik. Oleh itu, kajian ini tertumpu kepada pembangunan model matematik sifar dimensi bagi pelembapan-kendiri dan katod terbuka tindanan PEMFC 200W bagi aplikasi penjana kuasa sel fuel mudah alih. Persamaan matematik dimodelkan dengan menggunakan Matlab-Simulink bagi mensimulasikan model matematik yang dibangunkan. Hasil simulasi ini dibandingkan dengan hasil uji kaji tindanan 200W Horizon PEMFC (H-200) komersil bagi tujuan pengesahan model matematik. Kadar alir masuk udara dipilih untuk menguji sensitiviti model tindanan sel fuel. Oleh itu, stoikiometri inlet udara dari 2, 5, 20, dan 50 disimulasi untuk menghasilkan kadar alir masuk udara yang berbeza. Berdasarkan hasil simulasi, stoikiometri inlet udara di atas 15 adalah mencukupi untuk menghasilkan voltan tindanan sel fuel yang tinggi. Walau bagaimanapun, dalam pengoperasian sebenar, sistem tindanan sel fuel H-200 memerlukan stoikiometri inlet udara sekitar 20 kerana kipas digunakan untuk membekalkan udara dan juga sistem penyejukan. Kelembapan relatif anod da...

Enhanced Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes via Modification with Ionic Liquids for Fuel Cell Applications

“…PEMFC technology was developed mainly for transportation, stationary and portable fuel cell applications [2]. The main components within the PEMFC are two electrodes comprising the anode and cathode, as well as the electrolyte, which is a solid ionomeric membrane.…”