Title: Electronic circuit model for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Authors: Dachuan Yu and S. Yuvarajan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, North Dakota State
University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
Journal: www.elsevier.com/locate/jpowsour
Year: 2004
Summary:
This paper investigates the PEMFC as an alternate power source. The PEMFC is modeled by the
simplest form of a circuit as shown in fig 2. using capacitors, resistors, Inductors, diodes and few
BJTs that cover both the dynamic and static model and the circuit is presented in the paper
which is simulated in Spice. Its results are compared with the outcomes of a real PEMFC. The
primary focus of the article is to show that PEMFC can be modeled for its optimal outcome and
used as power converters in several utilities and its model is represented by the circuit in fig 2.
The modeling is done with respect to the V-I characteristics curve as shown in fig.1 and
combination of linear and non-linear circuit elements are used to represent separate curves in the
VI curve of the PEMFC under static and dynamic load. The VI curve represents the phenomenon
of PEMFC namely activation polarization (Represented by diode Ds), ohmic polarization
(Represented by parasitic resistance of diode Rs), concentration polarization (Represented by
current limiting circuit using BJTs Q1 and Q2, resistors R1 and R2), charge double layer
(Represented by a capacitor C) and undershoot in stack voltage (Represented by a capacitor C
and inductor Ls in series along with emitter of Q1). The latter two represent the dynamics of the
PEMFC.

Results and conclusions:

For the proper validation of the model presented for Fuel cell, experiments were carried out
using a commercial PEMFC that produces unregulated DC power whose rated power is 1200 w
and Hydrogen and air pressure of 72 psi while simulation was carried out using SPICE library
components with slight modifications. The output DC voltage ranged from 43V (idle case) to
26V (Rated current of 46A). For the static model load current was varied up to 70A. I1 and I2
were measured to be 62A and 77A and R1 and R2 were measured to be 5 and 0.01 ohms. Figure
6 shows the plot from the experiment and the simulation which are similar. For the dynamic case
load was changed from 108 to 0.55(suddenly) keeping capacitance of 1F and inductance of 10
mH .The results were plotted as shown in fig 7(simulation) and 8(Experiment) which were
similar too. We can say that the diode and a couple of BJTs represent the static model and
dynamic model can be represented by capacitors and inductors for a simple PEMFC. Therefore
the model represented for the PEMFC in fig 2 is validated by comparing the results of simulation
and experiment and hence main purpose of this article satisfied.

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