Fuel cells and dynamic simulation of a PEM fuel cell system

During the last century, rapid growth in energy consumption and limited resources of energy has caused many concerns and issues today. Furthermore, environmental concerns, such as global warming, are becoming increasingly serious, and require significant attention and planning. Renewable energy sources are the answer to this needs, issues and concerns. Hydrogen energy is one of the important renewable energy sources. Fuel cells which are used hydrogen as a fuel are the most important area of this energy. Basic principles of the fuel cell are need to know for developed the fuel cell system. In the recent years there was an increasing interest in fuel cell technology. Especially, polymer electrolyte membrane (interchangeably called proton exchange membrane, PEM) has reached a high development status. The PEM fuel cell has attracted a great deal of attention as a potential power source for automobile and stationary applications due to its low temperature of operation, high power density and high energy conversion efficiency. Mathematical models and simulations are needed as tools for design and optimization of fuel cells, stacks, and fuel cell power systems. Recently, numerical modeling and computer simulation have been used for improving and analyzing better PEM fuel cell systems. In this study, basic principle of the fuel cell and difference among fuel cell types are investigated. Also, the dynamics of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system is modeled, simulated and its results are presented. Matlab-Simulink is used for the modeling and simulation of the PEM fuel cell system. The fuel cell system model consists of the dynamics of reactant flow, fuel cell model and power conditioning unit. Also characteristics and efficiencies of a PEM fuel cell system are obtained by experiments. Simulation and experimental results are presented in this paper. The analyses of grid connected or stand alone applications of PEM fuel cell generator system can be achieved with this dynamic simulation model. Keywords: Fuel cell, PEM fuel cell, Dynamic simulation