Modeling fuel cell stack systems

A technique for modeling fuel cell stacks is presented along with the results from an investigation designed to test the validity of the technique. The technique was specifically designed so that models developed using it can be used to determine the fundamental thermal–physical behavior of a fuel cell stack for any operating and design configuration. Such models would be useful tools for investigating fuel cell power system parameters. The modeling technique can be applied to any type of fuel cell stack for which performance data is available for a laboratory scale single cell. Use of the technique is demonstrated by generating sample results for a model of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) stack consisting of 125 cells each with an active area of 150 cm2. A PEMFC stack was also used in the verification investigation. This stack consisted of four cells, each with an active area of 50 cm2. Results from the verification investigation indicate that models developed using the technique are capable of accurately predicting fuel cell stack performance.