Development of a PEM Fuel Cell Simulation Model for Use in Balance of Plant Design

The Balance of Plant design process for PEM fuel cell systems is a complicated task. A typical PEM fuel cell system includes components from multiple engineering disciplines, such as hydration systems, sensors, pumps, motors, compressors, power electronics, and heat exchangers. The design process of a complete fuel cell system must integrate these mixed-technology components into a single design.

Simulation is valuable tool for use in the design process of fuel cell systems. This paper describes development of a mixed-technology PEM fuel cell simulation model developed for the purposes of fuel cell Balance of Plant design and system integration.