Electrochemical model for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems

This paper presents an electrochemical model for simulation and evaluation of the performance of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The results of the model are used to predict the efficiency and power of the fuel cell as a function of operational parameters of the cell, like temperature, partial pressures and membrane humidity. A one-dimensional mass transport model was also developed to investigate water transport through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The model enables quantification of the water flux corresponding to each of the three water transport mechanisms, such as diffusion, electro-osmotic drag and convection. The influence of temperature on the fuel cell's characteristics is more pronounced than the influence of partial pressures and membrane humidity. The effect of platinum loading on cell performance is examined with Pt loadings of 0.18, 0.38 and 0.4 mg/cm(2).