A Comparative Study of Using Polarization Curve Models in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Degradation Analysis

Chen Zhang, Wen Li, Mingruo Hu, Xiaofang Cheng, Kai He and Lei Mao
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Chen Zhang: Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Wen Li: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Mingruo Hu: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Xiaofang Cheng: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Kai He: Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Lei Mao: Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: In this paper, a systematic study is carried out to compare the performance of various V-I models at both normal and faulty conditions, in terms of simulating proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) behavior and analyzing the corresponding degradation process. In the analysis, the simulation accuracy of V-I models, including overall behavior simulation and the simulation of different PEMFC losses, is investigated. Results show that compared to the other V-I models, the V-I model using exponential function for mass transport loss and considering open circuit voltage (OCV) at zero current can provide the best simulation performance, with an overall root mean square error (RMSE) of about 0.00279. Furthermore, the performance of these V-I models in analyzing PEMFC degradation process is also studied. By investigating the evolution of PEMFC losses during the degradation, the effectiveness of these models in interpreting PEMFC degradation mechanisms can be clarified. The results show that, besides the simulation accuracy, different interpretations may be provided from different models; this further confirms the necessity of comparative study. Moreover, the effectiveness of different V-I models in identifying PEMFC abnormal performance at two faulty scenarios is investigated. The results demonstrate that, among different V-I models, the model using an exponential function for mass transport loss and considering OCV at zero current can provide more accurate simulation and reasonable interpretation regarding PEMFC internal behavior.

Keywords: PEMFC; V-I model; fitting accuracy; degradation analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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