Reversible and Irreversible Potentials and an Inaccuracy in Popular Models in the Fuel Cell Literature

Uday K. Chakraborty
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Uday K. Chakraborty: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: Modeling is an integral part of fuel cell design and development. This paper identifies a long-standing inaccuracy in the fuel cell modeling literature. Specifically, it discusses an inexact insertion, in popular models, of cell/stack current into Nernst’s equation in the derivation of output (load) voltage. The origin of the inaccuracy is traced to the nature of reversible and irreversible potentials (equilibrium and non-equilibrium states) in the cell. The significance of the inaccuracy is explained in the context of the electrochemistry and thermodynamics of the fuel cell.

Keywords: fuel cell model; fuel cell stack; hydrogen; Nernst equation; proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC); solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) (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: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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