Voltage Stability Challenges in a 1 kW-Class PEMFC Stack for Air-Independent Propulsion Applications

Jinhyuk Lim (), Seungwoo Ha and Youngmo Goo
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Jinhyuk Lim: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology R&D Department, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, 86, Gongdan-ro, 474 Beon-gil, Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si 51577, Gyungsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Seungwoo Ha: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology R&D Department, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, 86, Gongdan-ro, 474 Beon-gil, Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si 51577, Gyungsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Youngmo Goo: Future Powertrain Technologies Research Laboratory, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, 303, Pungse-ro, Pungse-myeon, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31214, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: This study investigates the operational behavior and voltage stability of a 1 kW-class AIP PEMFC stack under high-pressure H 2 and O 2 conditions. AIP PEMFCs, unlike conventional air-based systems, operate in enclosed environments using stored O 2 , requiring designs that minimize parasitic power losses while ensuring stable operation. To establish a performance baseline, single cell tests were conducted to isolate the effects of in-plane components, including the MEA, GDL, and flow field geometry. Results indicated that temperature and pressure significantly influenced performance, whereas humidity and flow rate had minimal effects under the tested conditions. A 27-cell stack was then assembled and evaluated under various current densities, flow rates, and humidity levels. Time-resolved voltage measurements revealed that low flow rates (stoichiometry ≤ 1.5) led to voltage instability, particularly at high humidity and current density. Instability was more pronounced in cells positioned farthest from the inlet and outlet ports. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing operational parameters and stack architecture to achieve stable AIP PEMFC performance under reduced flow conditions. The results provide key insights for developing compact, efficient, and durable AIP fuel cell systems for use in enclosed or submerged environments such as submarines or unmanned underwater vehicles, while highlighting key challenges associated with AIP-targeted applications.

Keywords: air-independent propulsion; PEMFC; stack; voltage stability; water management (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: 2025
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