A Predictive Model for the Energy Analysis of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell by Computer Simulation

The energy analysis of proton exchange membrane fuel cell was examined using MathCAD software in this study. The results obtained from the experimental testing of the fabricated membrane electrode assembly in a single cell stack revealed that the fabricated membrane electrode assembly can produce an open circuit voltage of 0.745 V, and a power density of 0.0669 w/cm². The simulation of the developed model for the energy analysis in a fuel cell shows that an increase in hydrogen partial pressures resulted in an increment in the voltage of the fuel cell. The results also show that the flow rate of oxygen had less effect on the fuel cell performance, whereas that of hydrogen enhanced its performance. The temperature effects on the fuel cell performance were of negative impact for the cathodic reaction, thus increasing temperature decreases the forward reaction voltage. The comparison of the experimental with the simulated results shows some variations with correlation coefficient of 0.77 and standard deviation of 24%. These variations are attributed to some of the assumptions made during the conceptualization of the model equation.