Simulation of voltage losses in PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells

Fuel cells, convert chemical energy into electrical energy, are the devices that provide alternative energy sources which were developed especially in the last part of the twentieth century. In addition to the use of various fuels in the fuel cell, hydrogen is the most commonly used. Fuel cell modeling provides fuel cell design improvements as well as cheaper, better and more efficient fuel cells. In this study, voltage losses occurring in PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cells where hydrogen is used as fuel are simulated. Matlab @ Simulink program was used during simulation. The three main voltage losses occurring in the fuel cell are classified as activation polarization, ohmic polarization, and concentration polarization. In this study, voltage losses occurring in PEM (proton permeable membrane) fuel cells, where hydrogen is used as fuel, were simulated using the Matlab @ Simulink program. The polarization and power curves are simulated by considering these losses in PEM type fuel cell.