PEM Fuel Cell modeling and parameter influences of performance evaluation

Fuel cell (FC) systems have been showing up as a promising alternative due their high efficiency, low aggression to the environment, excellent dynamic response, and superior reliability and durability. This paper introduces the electrochemical model of FC and establishes the Simulink model based on it. The results of the model are used to predict the output voltage, efficiency, and power of FC as a function of the actual load current and of the constructive and operational parameters of the cells. Detailed simulation researches on polarization curves have been carried through for FC performances boosting. Parameter influences of FC are mainly discussed on the dynamical performance of PEMFC and some parameters which might be despised but very important are pointed out, especially. Corresponding dynamic behaviors of a typical 500-W BCS stack are presented. In the end, control strategies are designed for FC operation optimization, and some accidental cases are pointed out.