A Dynamic Tanks-in-Series Model for a High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell

Abstract

A dynamic tanks-in-series model has been developed for the coupled heat, mass, and charge transfer processes in a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The semi-empirical model includes the heat and mass balance equations in the gas channels and the membrane electrode assembly together with the charge balance at the electrode/membrane interfaces. The outputs of the tanks-in-series model are the concentration, the temperature, and the current density with a step change from tank to tank. The dynamic non-isothermal model is capable of predicting both the transient and steady-state behavior of the fuel cell and reproducing impedance data under harmonic perturbations of the cell potential together with a comprehensive interpretation of experimental data.