Development of a Design Tool for Performance Estimation and Validation Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: Verification and Validation for 20 KW Commercial Fuel Cell

Abstract

This work provides an extended description of the tools developed in the Wolfram Mathematica environment to characterize proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. These tools, with their user-friendly interface, facilitate the calculation of the main parameters required to obtain the PEM fuel cell polarization curve, offering a seamless and intuitive experience. Various mathematical models and algorithms are coded to accurately calculate the parameters needed for the polarization curve analysis. This study presents the development and validation of a computational tool designed to simulate the performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The tool integrates thermodynamic and electrochemical equations to predict key operational parameters, and was validated using experimental data from a commercial Ballard® PEM fuel cell to ensure its accuracy. The validation process involved comparing the numerical predictions with empirical measurements under various operating conditions. The results demonstrate that the computational tool accurately replicates the performance characteristics observed in the experimental data, confirming its reliability and instilling confidence in its use for simulating PEM fuel cell behavior. This tool offers a valuable resource for optimizing fuel cell design and operation, providing insights into the efficiency, output, and potential areas for improvement. Future work will expand the tool’s capabilities to include degradation mechanisms and long-term performance predictions. This advancement underscores the tool’s potential as a comprehensive solution for academic research and industrial applications in fuel cell technology.