Test Method and Equivalent Circuit Modeling of a PEM Fuel Cell in a Passive State

Abstract

Abstract-A novel test protocol is proposed for fuel cells that are in a nonfunctioning or passive state. Standard fuel-cell test methods are reviewed, along with the equivalent circuit models (ECMs) used to represent functioning or active fuel cells. Standard active tests focus on single cells, while the passive test is shown to be applicable to testing multiple cells. The passive test measures electrical characteristics of the fuel cell in the absence of electrochemical reactions. A simple ECM is developed to describe the cell behavior under the passive test conditions. Circuit model parameters of many series-connected cells can be acquired using the results of a single stack test. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) from three manufacturers were tested, ranging in system power from 12-500 W. Test results for each PEMFC exhibited similar behavior that is well predicted by the ECM. A strong similarity between a passive fuel cell and a double layer capacitor is discussed.

PEM single fuel cell as a dedicated power source for high-inductive superconducting coils

“…Saber ® , in present case). As a result, even if it can be considered of circuit type, and contrary to most circuit models found in the literature such as those presented in [5][6][7][8][9][10], it naturally includes large signal description, space-dependent parameters in each element of the cell (that is to say local partial pressures in GDL, and water content in the membrane), and also influence of operating conditions (such as FC temperature, gas flow rates, anode and cathode pressures, relative humidity). In this work, our aim is to use it for simulating PEMFC operation as an electrical current source controlled by H2 flow rate to determine requirements for supplying current to a power superconducting coil.…”

Black-box model and identification methodology for PEM fuel cell with overshooted transient response

“…Most of the aforementioned models are parameterized by applying EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) technique, which is one of the three main fuel cell testing techniques [26]. …”

A two-stage dc-dc converter for the fuel cell-supercapacitor hybrid system

“…In terms of the equivalent circuit model of fuel cell in [14], Middlebrook's extra element theorem [15] can be used to analyze the effect caused by fuel cell to the dynamics of the converter. The small signal circuit model of boost converter with fuel cell and supercapacitor is shown in Fig.…”

“…4, where Z OFC is the output impedance of the fuel cell, C in is the input capacitor of the boost converter, Z SC is the impedance of supercapacitors bank, and Z Leq is the equivalent load impedance. If the effect caused by Z O and Z SC could be neglected in controller design, as that shown in [14], the following impedance inequalities have to be met: ( )…”