Balancing Stack, Air Supply, and Water/Thermal Management Demands for an Indirect Methanol PEM Fuel Cell System

This work presents a method to maximize the net power output of an indirect methanol PEM fuel cell system. This method establishes an operating strategy for the air supply based on the stack, air supply and water and thermal management (WTM) sub-system characteristics - holding anode conditions constant. It is shown that operating strategies based on individual components result in the inefficient operation of the overall system. Inclusion of the WTM modifies the optimal operating conditions for both low and high pressure systems. However the results for high pressure show an efficiency gain through reducing air pressure and increasing airflow, the opposite of what is expected. This work also outlines the components and issues not included and their importance in system operation.