A Fast-Time MATLAB Model of an Aeronautical Low-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell for Sustainable Propulsion and Compressor Behavior at Varying Altitudes

Abolfazl Movahedian (), Gianluca Marinaro and Emma Frosina
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Abolfazl Movahedian: Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Gianluca Marinaro: CIRA—C.I.R.A. Centro Ricerca Italiano Aerospaziali, 81043 Capua, Italy
Emma Frosina: Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: The aviation sector significantly contributes to environmental challenges, including global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, due to its reliance on fossil fuels. Fuel cells present a viable alternative to conventional propulsion systems. In the context of light aircraft applications, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have recently attracted growing interest as a substitute for internal combustion engines (ICEs). However, their performance is highly sensitive to altitude variations, primarily due to limitations in compressor efficiency and instability in cathode pressure. To address these challenges, this research presents a comprehensive numerical model that couples a PEMFC system with a dynamic air compressor model under altitude-dependent conditions ranging from 0 to 3000 m. Iso-efficiency lines were integrated into the compressor map to evaluate its behavior across varying environmental parameters. The study examines key fuel cell stack characteristics, including voltage, current, and net power output. The results indicate that, as altitude increases, ambient pressure and air density decrease, causing the compressor to work harder to maintain the required compression ratio at the cathode of the fuel cell module. This research provides a detailed prediction of compressor efficiency trends by implementing iso-efficiency lines into the compressor map, contributing to sustainable aviation and aligning with global goals for low-emission energy systems by supporting cleaner propulsion technologies for lightweight aircraft.

Keywords: compressor efficiency; altitude-dependent performance; PEMFC; oxygen partial pressure; cathode pressure; numerical model; compression ratio; environmental parameter; sustainable aviation; low-emission propulsion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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