Experimental analysis of performance improvement of PEM fuel cells for unmanned aerial vehicles

The increasing world population is causing a corresponding rise in the demand for energy. The use of fossil energy sources causes serious environmental damage such as the greenhouse effect, global warming, and acid rain. Additionally, the limited availability of these resources is forcing people to turn to alternative energy sources. Among these, one of the most important is fuel cells. Fuel cells convert electrochemical energy into electrical energy, providing high efficiency and causing no harm to the environment. The efficiency of fuel cells, which consist primarily of an electrolyte placed between two electrodes, depends on various parameters. Among these cells, the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stands out due to its high performance at low operating temperatures and ease of portability. In this study, experiments were carried out at room temperature, under constant pressures of 0.5 bar and 2 bar and at different operating temperatures, using a single-cell PEM fuel cell with 5 cm2 active area and Nafion 212 Membrane. The values obtained from the experiments were recorded using precise measurement devices, and the experimental results were analyzed. The analyzed experimental results indicate that the optimal operating temperature for PEM fuel cells is around 80°C. This temperature provides both high power density and stable cell voltage. 2 bar constant pressure provides higher performance than 0.5 bar pressure. However, the effects of pressure increase on system costs and safety must also be taken into account. Additionally, the results were compared with similar studies in the literature, and it was observed that similar values were obtained. In this study, it is emphasized that the performance increase achieved at high temperatures should be carefully evaluated in terms of material durability and longevity in practical applications.