Phenomenological modeling and optimization of the sizing and operation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

IGNACIO SCHMIDHALTER; CORINA EVA AIMO; PIO ANTONIO AGUIRRE

San Juan

Workshop; XIX Workshop on Information Processing and Control (RPIC); 2021

Universidad Nacional de San Juan

A 1-D phenomenological model of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) based on a system of algebraic equations is developed. The main phenomena occurring inside the cell are considered in modeling with a minimum number of adjustable parameters by rigorously defining the relationships between key variables. The model obtained presents a balanced agreement between computational complexity and accuracy regarding cell internal phenomena, which makes it an effective optimization tool. Therefore, simultaneous optimization frameworks of the main operational and design variables of fuel cell are proposed. The results obtained through the different optimization frameworks provide a systemic view for the water management in a PEMFC maximizing the specific energy delivered.