Energy Balance of a PEM Fuel Cell

Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Energy Machinery, Námestie slobody 17, 812 31 Bratislava, Slovakia

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Abstract

This paper deals with the analysis of mass and energy balance of an air-cooled PEM fuel cell. The structural design of the cell is based on an MEA assembly with a proton-exchange membrane, which ensures the separation of reactants and the generation of electrical energy and heat. The aim of the calculations is to optimize operating parameters and increase system efficiency. The mass balance tracks the consumption of hydrogen, oxygen and water production, while the energy balance is based on the first law of thermodynamics and allows quantification of the electrical and thermal power of the system. Simulations showed that electrical power decreases with increasing load, while heat production increases, however the combined efficiency remains relatively stable. The computational error of the energy balance is at a very low level, which confirms the accuracy of the model. The balance results represent an important tool for validation and prediction of behaviour for the fuel cell in real time.