Component-based modelling of PEM fuel cells with bond graphs

Vasilyev, A.; Andrews, John; Jackson, L.M.; Dunnett, S.J.; Davies, B.

Abstract

A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a power generation device that transforms chemical energy contained within hydrogen and oxygen gases into useful electricity. The performance of a PEMFC unit is governed by three interdependent physical phenomena: heat, mass, and charge transfer. When modelling such a multi-physical system it is advantageous to use an approach capable of representing all the processes in a unified fashion.

This paper presents a component-based model of PEMFCs developed using the bond graph (BG) technique in Modelica language. The basics of the BG method are outlined and a number of relevant publications are reviewed. Model assumptions and necessary equations for each fuel cell component are outlined. The overall model is constructed from a set of bond-graphic blocks within thermal, pneumatic and electrical domains.

The model output was compared with the experimental data gathered from a two-cell stack and demonstrated a good accuracy in predicting system behaviour. In the future the designed model will be used for fuel cell reliability studies.

Citation

Vasilyev, A., Andrews, J., Jackson, L., Dunnett, S., & Davies, B. (2017). Component-based modelling of PEM fuel cells with bond graphs. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 42(49), 29406-29421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.09.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 7, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 7, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 6, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 7, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
• Print ISSN: 0360-3199
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-3487
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 49
• Pages: 29406-29421
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.09.004
• Keywords: PEM fuel cells; Bond graph; Multi-physics; Modeling; Modelica
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/899233
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319917336352
• Contract Date: Nov 6, 2017